Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 9th, 2016 8:25AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Avalanche hazard will fall as the temperature cools although the timing of how it does is difficult to forecast

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: sunny with scattered clouds, a freezing level of 2500m, light to moderate westerly winds. THURSDAY: partly cloudy, freezing level of 2000m, light westerly winds. FRIDAY: light flurries overnight as freezing levels fall to valley floor before rebounding to 2000m, mainly cloudy through the day, light southwesterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

A cycle of loose wet avalanches was reported on Monday and Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Moist snow can be found on solar aspects and a thin melt freeze crust may form on the surface overnight. Strong south west winds have resulted in widespread wind effect. Thick, stiff wind slabs can be found on north aspects in the alpine. Cornices have grown significantly. In the front ranges, the wind effect may be more extreme with widespread strastugi being reported in the alpine around Castle Mountain. In some areas you may find a supportive crust down 30cm that extends up to around 1900m. A layer of buried surface hoar can be found between 50 and 100cm down and remains a concern west of the Divide. The snowpack rests on a weak crust/facet layer from early December.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Stubborn wind slabs may be lingering on north aspects where the snow has stayed cool.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

I would give it a couple more days to see how the warm temperatures have affected the reactivity of buried weak layers in the snowpack. A large trigger like a collapsing cornice could possible step down.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Feb 10th, 2016 2:00PM