Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 25th, 2017 3:46PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Weak sugary snow in the bottom third of the snowpack continue to be a concern for triggering large avalanches

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud / Alpine temperature -12 C / Light to moderate north windMONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate northwest wind / Alpine temperature -12TUESDAY: Isolated flurries / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -6More details can be found on the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported in the south of the region. There was a report of a size 2.5 natural avalanche in the northern part of the region. This may have happened in the last 3 days and possibly failed on a persistent weak layer buried early february on a NW aspect in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of storm snow accumulating last week has been transported by the wind, and now sits on a variety of old surface conditions including isolated wind slabs, pockets of soft snow (5-10 cm deep), sun crusts, and surface hoar. A supportive rain crust exists below 1000 m. A layer of surface hoar that was buried on February 10th may exist 30-60 cm below the surface, but there's a fair bit of uncertainty regarding the reactivity and distribution of this layer. A stiff mid pack sits above weak sugary snow near the ground. Although possibly dormant, this basal weakness has the potential to produce very large destructive avalanches.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

A weakness at the bottom of the snowpack is lingering and may be triggered in shallow snowpack areas or by the weight of smaller avalanches.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid lingering in runout zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Changing wind directions may develop new wind slabs on south through west aspects. Old wind slabs may continue to linger on north through east aspects.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 26th, 2017 2:00PM