Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 25th, 2014 8:00AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Cornices.

ali haeri, Parks Canada

Glacier.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=15974&oPark=100205We are in for some mild sunny weather. It may be tempting to get on some bigger lines but remember we are still dealing with a significant instability. Solar effect will be strong on south and west aspects as the day progresses, limit your exposure.

Summary

Weather Forecast

We are in for another dry spell as a high pressure system will remain over the Province for the foreseeable future offering mostly clear skies and dry weather. Light winds, rising freezing levels and mild alpine temperatures are forecast until Friday when some cloud cover and Arctic air will make its way over the interior.

Snowpack Summary

1-1.5m of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab over the Jan 28/22 facet/surface hoar/crust interface. Snowpack tests suggests this weak layer is difficult to trigger, but if failed has high propagation propensity. Below this the snowpack is well settled. Expect a sun crust on south and west aspects from yesterdays sunshine.

Avalanche Summary

6 natural slab avalanches up to size 2.0 occurred in the highway corridor yesterday. From Saturday a size 2.5 slab avalanche was observed around noon behind the Asulkan Hut. This could have been remotely triggered or triggered naturally.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The slab overtop the weak layers down 1-1.5m continues to settle and become more cohesive. This problem will take a while to heal and requires good terrain management. Be particularly weary of open unsupported slopes and convex rolls below tree line.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Cornices

Cornices have grown from the last storm cycle. Sunshine and the warmer alpine temperatures may cause them to break. Shaded slopes may have cornices in the sun well above you. This hazard is the type of load that can trigger the buried weak layers.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 26th, 2014 8:00AM