Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 8th, 2016 7:38AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

I would make conservative terrain choices and minimize my exposure to overhead hazard while the region's complex snowpack reacts to the spring-like temperatures.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

A strong temperature inversion persist with an above freezing layer in the alpine. Valley cloud will linger bellow 1500 to 1800m. TUESDAY: sunny in the alpine, a freezing level of 3600m, light southwesterly winds. WEDNESDAY: sunny with scattered clouds, a freezing level of 2500m, light to moderate westerly winds. THURSDAY: partly cloudy, freezing level of 2500m, light westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

New new avalanche activity has been reported.Â However, in the north of the regions conditions are likely to be similar to K-country right now where several large (size 2-3) skier triggered avalanches released in wind loaded features over the weekend.

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 in the alpine and treeline as well as in isolated open pockets bellow treeline. 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. The snowpack rests on a weak crust/facet layer from early December.

Problems

Loose Wet

Spring like temperatures and strong sun are expected to drive a natural loose wet avalanche cycle. These avalanches could gather significant mass along their path.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Daytime warming will increase the sensitivity of old wind slabs and weaken cornices.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Stay well back from cornices.>Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

A smaller avalanche in motion could step down to a variety of buried persistent weak layers in the snowpack.

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 9th, 2016 2:00PM