Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Feb 28 – Mar 1, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

There is snow on the horizon, but it's hard to say how much. This new snow should bump danger up a notch. Are you a member of Avalanche Canada? Join today at avalanche.ca/membership

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3–6
    Triggering this problem is unlikely, but be wary of high north aspects where the near-surface crust in absent or breakable, and south facing slopes if the surface is becoming moist or wet. 

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

The ridge of high pressure maintains dry conditions on Sunday with a freezing level a little over 1000 m. An approaching Arctic cold front should result in increasing cloud late Sunday and light snow beginning overnight or on Monday. Some areas could see 10 cm or more on Monday. The freezing level is at valley bottom and ridge winds are moderate from the NE. Tuesday should be a drier, sunnier and cooler day under the influence of the Arctic High.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently.

Snowpack Summary

A couple centimetres of new snow sits on the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall).

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