Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 13th, 2015 8:00AM

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

Parks Canada andrew jones, Parks Canada

Wet Avalanches are likely with warm temperatures and freezing levels up to 2500m.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Unseasonably warm temperatures will spike today as freezing levels climb to 2500m. Mainly cloudy with possible periods of sun at higher elevations. A cold front is set to arrive late this evening bringing a return to freezing temps and up to 12cm of snow. A high pressure ridge building on Sunday marks the return to cold temperatures and sunshine.

Snowpack Summary

Moist surface snow is expected to 2500m today as freezing levels climb. 1m of settled storm snow over the Jan 30 layer. This layer formed a crust to 2200m with spotty surface hoar distribution. Jan 15 surface hoar layer is down 100-150cm and continues to be reactive in tests. Isothermal snow at lower elevations makes for challenging skiing.

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 wet slab avalanche was observed on Cheops South in the highway corridor below treeline. Below treeline, wet snow is capable of running on a buried crust.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
With rising freezing levels expect wet avalanches at all elevations. The forecast is for clouds, but should the sun emerge watch for natural avalanches from steep solar aspects. Loose avalanches can gain mass and momentum quickly.
Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Persistent weak layers within the top 150cm of the snowpack should not be forgotten, especially while temperatures remain warm. Smaller avalanches or cornice failures may step down and propagate on these deep instabilities.
Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Cornices become weak with daytime heating.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

3 - 4

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2015 8:00AM