Archived forecast for Saturday, February 24, 2024

This is archived in relation to a fatality on 2/24 in Gardiner Creek. The avalanche.ca archives are a bit awkward with flexible regions and the result from clicking on the map can differ from that obtained by the location search. We have tried to get the best result by first using the map and then the location search in that area. We believe the advisory here was in effect in Gardiner Creek on 2/24.

They also date advisories by the ending date so this was listed as 2/25 but expired at 0400 that day.

Date Issued: Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 04:00
Valid Until: Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 04:00
Prepared by: isnowsell

A buried crust associated with faceted snow remains a concern. Carefully assess steep lines for signs of instability.

Saturday Feb 24
Alpine: 2 - Moderate
Treeline: 2 - Moderate
Below Treeline: 1 - Low

Terrain and Travel Advice

    Exercise caution on steep, unsupported slopes.
    Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
    Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.

Avalanche Problem 1: Persistent slab
What Elevation? - Treeline, Alpine
Which Slopes? - All Aspects
Chances of Avalanches? - Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size? - Small - Large

A widespread crust is buried by roughly 30 to 60 cm of snow. Weak faceted grains have formed above and below the crust in areas. This is a particular concern in steep terrain where a cohesive slab may exist on the surface.

Avalanche Problem 2: Wind slab
What Elevation? - Alpine
Which Slopes? - North, Northeast, East, Southeast, Northwest
Chances of Avalanches? - Possible
Expected Size? - Small

Recent southwest winds may have created reactive wind slabs near ridgetops and other exposed alpine terrain.

Avalanche Summary

This MIN report details a skier-triggered avalanche on the crust/facet layer found throughout the region.

On Wednesday, several explosive-controlled and naturally occurring avalanches sizes 1.5 to 2, were observed in the Lizard Range. They were a variety of storm slabs, persistent slabs and loose wet avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

On the surface, a thin sun crust can be found on south-facing slopes. Surface snow is generally moist below treeline.

Approximately 30 to 60 cm of snow has buried a widespread crust formed in early February. In some areas, weak faceted grains have formed above and/or below the crust.
Generally, the snowpack is deeper and more consolidated in the Lizard Range and Flathead, and shallower and more faceted to the north of Sparwood and east of the continental divide.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Confidence: Moderate,  Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.