Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 25th, 2020 8:13AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.
ross campbell,
Parks Canada
The Avalanche Winter Restricted Area is CLOSED TODAY. Please respect the Winter Permit System, it requires 100% compliance to keep as much terrain open as possible.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Today: Sunny with cloudy periods, freezing level rising to 1200m, and light winds. A pacific front will reach the Rogers Pass later this afternoon, and we might receive 5cm by tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow: Flurries continue throughout the day, with only another 5cm of snow, mod southerly wind, and steady freezing levels near 1100m
Snowpack Summary
30+cm of storm snow has now buried the February 22 weak layer. This layer consists of surface hoar (observed up to 2300m) in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. Where the new snow has become cohesive, it is reactive to human triggering as a 20-40cm soft slab.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported from the backcountry yesterday. Only 6 avalanches were observed in the Highway Corridor, 3 size 2s, and 3 size 1.5s. These natural avalanches were from steep unsupported terrain features. On Saturday we had a decent natural cycle to size 3, which were failing on the Feb 22nd surface hoar/ sun crust.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
Slab properties in the storm snow have been slow to develop. Where slabs do exist, they overlie the Feb 22nd surface hoar. On steep solar aspects the surface hoar sits on a crust, and settled snow everywhere else.
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.
- Convex features and steep unsupported slopes will be most prone to triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
"Sluffing "is likely in steep unsupported terrain on all aspects. If the sun stays out today, we should see several small loose dry avalanches on steep, rocky terrain features, on solar aspects.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 26th, 2020 8:00AM
