Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 1st, 2016 9:20AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Strong winds may create touchy slabs that are ripe for human triggers.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

10-15cm of new snow is forecast for most of the region overnight Tuesday.Â Accompanying this snow are strong southwesterly winds and up to 1600m freezing levels.Â Wednesday and Thursday should bring flurries with moderate to strong westerly winds and freezing levels hovering around 1600m.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday no new avalanches were reported in this region.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs on lee aspects in alpine and open treeline. 15-20cm recent storm snow is sitting on a crust at most elevations and aspects which will increase the distance that small avalanches run. The mid February layer is down 30-60cm and is a crust in most areas. This layer is generally well bonded to the overlying persistent slab. However, in isolated ares there is surface hoar or facets overlying this crust making the interface much more likely to produce large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Tuesday night's snow may be enough to create reactive storm slabs.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2016 2:00PM