Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 14th, 2016 7:36AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Loose Wet.

pmarshall, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

We're expecting variable weather over the next few days, potentially leading to dynamic spring-like conditions. Careful snowpack observations are required.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: Possible flurries in the morning followed by sunny breaks. The freezing level is around 1700 m. Ridge winds are moderate or strong from the W-NW. Tuesday: Snow overnight (5-10 cm) followed by clearing in the afternoon. The freezing level is around 2000 m during the day and winds are moderate from the SW. Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud with possible flurries. The freezing level is around 2000-2200 m and winds are light or moderate from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday or Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of moist new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects and lower elevation terrain, surface hoar on sheltered slopes, and wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Soft new wind slabs might be hiding older, harder wind slabs on exposed north aspects in the alpine. Cornices have grown significantly recently. 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 40 and 60cm down and remains a concern, primarily west of the Continental Divide. The snowpack rests on a weak crust/facet layer from early December.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Expect dense or hard wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets on steep slopes below ridge crests.>Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Cornices should continue to grow with mild temperatures, steady ridge winds, and light snowfalls. They could fail naturally or under light loads.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

Loose wet snow slides are likely during periods of intense solar radiation.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep sun-exposed terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 15th, 2016 2:00PM