Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 28th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Benjamin Firth,
Parks Canada
Up to 20cm of new snow and increasing winds will elevate the avalanche hazard throughout the weekend. Conservative decision making related to terrain choices will be key to avoiding involvement in an avalanche over the upcoming few days.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Upwards of 20cm is expected in the Columbia ice fields area overnight Friday. This snow will come in with moderate to strong winds up to 60km/h from the WSW. Temperatures steadily dropping to -15 by Monday morning.
Find the Alberta Rockies weather synopsis here: Mountain Weather Forecast
Snowpack Summary
Daily, trace amounts of new snow redeposited at ridgetop with increasing winds, spread irregularly over the region on old wind slab in the alpine. The southern forecast region has a supportive mid-pack. Less supportive and poor bridging over a pronounced basal weaknesses in the north; Whistlers/Portal and soon, Maligne area
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed or reported.
Used daily by Forecasters, The Mountain Information Network is your way to share your field trip observations and helps contribute to the daily avalanche bulletin.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
Triggering wind slab in shallow areas has the potential to initiate the deep persistent slab.
- Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.
- Use caution in lee areas. New snowfall mixed with wind loading will created slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Up to 20cm of new snow forecasted for region Friday night. Keep an eye on how reactive this snow is when traveling through terrain. Triggering storm slab in shallow areas has the potential to initiate the deep persistent slab.
- Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Skier triggering could occur in shallow snowpack areas or from large load. The consequences of triggering would be severe! Caution traveling, skiing and climbing in run out zones as avalanche have the potential to run full path
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 29th, 2020 4:00PM
