Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2017 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada aaron beardmore, Avalanche Canada

Wind, snow and warmer temperatures are expected between today and the end of the week. Expect the danger rating to rise.

Summary

Weather Forecast

An increase in wind velocity from the west with light amounts of precip will track through the forecast region Tuesday night. Temperatures are expected to rise to the -5 range. A more significant second wave of precip is expected Friday.

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

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

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.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Light snowfall and an increase in wind from the west is expected to build wind slabs in lee areas at tree line and above. There is uncertainty as to how touchy these slabs will be.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2017 4:00PM