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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 24th, 2024–Feb 25th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Purcells, Dogtooth, East Purcell.

Storm snow and wind are expected to form new slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday a few size 1- 2 naturally triggered wind slabs were observed near Invermere on north and east facing alpine slopes.

The likelihood of triggering avalanches will likely increase with the incoming stormy weather.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 5 to 10 cm of new snow is expected to fall by the end of the day Sunday. This snow will cover a variety of old surfaces, including old wind-affected snow, and a crust.

In isolated, sheltered areas, surface hoar may be found buried 10-20 cm

A widespread crust formed in early February is buried roughly 20 to 50 cm. This crust may be less prominent or not exist at high alpine elevations.

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

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of new snow, 30 km/h west ridgetop wind, treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow/light to moderate rain, 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 1700 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy 2 to 4 cm of new snow, 10 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow possible, 5 to 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind, treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.