Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 29th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
rbuhler,
Avalanche Canada
Danger avalanche conditions persist. The recent storm snow has buried a touchy weak layer and human triggering remains a serious concern. Conservative decision-making remains critical.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural, skier, and explosive-triggered avalanches up to size 3 have been reported in the past few days throughout the region. All avalanches slid on layers in the upper snowpack.
While natural activity should begin to taper off on Friday, human triggering is expected to remain a serious problem.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 60 cm of new snow has fallen in the past 2 days and over 1 m has accumulated in the past week. This new snow has formed touchy slabs, especially in wind-exposed terrain.
The new snow has also buried a weak layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February which remains reactive.
A widespread crust formed in early February is buried roughly 70 to 120 cm deep and extends up to 2400 m. Facets have been found above this crust. This layer has produced many concerning avalanches across the province.
The mid and lower snowpack is largely faceted with depth hoar and a crust found at the bottom of the snowpack in many areas.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Some clearing overnight with flurries of up to 5 cm. 20 to 40 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries up to 5 cm. 15 to 30 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries up to 3 cm. 20 to 40 km/h south alpine wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to the presence of deeply buried weak layers.
Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow accompanied by strong wind has formed touchy slabs that may sit over a weak layer. These slabs will remain very reactive to human triggering on Friday and have the potential to travel full path.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers remain very sensitive to human triggering and could result in very large avalanches. It is possible to trigger these layers remotely and avalanches have the potential to run full path, so watch your overhead exposure.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snowpack remains generally weak and untrustworthy, especially at higher elevations where a protective crust above may not exist.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 1st, 2024 4:00PM
