Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 1st, 2017 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada Lisa Paulson, Avalanche Canada

Anticipated snow Tuesday/Wednesday did not materialize. Next system to arrive Thurs-Friday night. Expect the danger to rise.

Summary

Weather Forecast

For Thursday, expect scattered flurries, gusty SW winds, and alpine highs around -6C. Snow to move into the region late Thursday/Friday morning with moderate to strong SW wind. The total snowfall is uncertain, but could be in the range of 15-25 cm.

Snowpack Summary

30cm of soft snow overlies a well-settled and firm middle of the snowpack. Near treeline, concern remains for a facetted layer that sits in the lower third of the snowpack, and an old surface hoar layer down about 50-60 cm that has recently produced sudden planar shears. Deeper snowpacks to the west of the Wapta Icefields have the strongest snow.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported on Tuesday.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Conditions have improved since last week, and the likelihood of triggering an avalanche is reduced - however, weak layers still exist and entry into any start zone areas should be based upon knowledge of the snowpack conditions on that slope.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
  • Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2017 4:00PM