Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 1st, 2015 3:00PM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Purcells.

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Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Cloudy overnight with developing northwest winds and alpine temperatures around -10. Overcast with snow starting late morning. Most areas should see 5-10 cm, and areas in the south and east may see enhanced precipitation as the arctic air dives south and collides with some warmer Pacific air. The snow should end by Tuesday morning when skies clear and the high pressure re-builds over the interior. Wednesday should be clear and cold with light winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

Variable amounts of dry facetted surface snow and pockets of surface hoar can be found above the mid-February crust. New melt-freeze crusts can be found on solar aspects at all elevations. The mid-pack is well settled. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Triggering persistent slab avalanches has become unlikely, but may be possible with large loads like cornice falls. Periods of strong solar radiation may allow for triggering from weak thin snowpack areas.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Conditions have greatly improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 5

Wind Slabs

Northerly winds may develop pockets of windslab in the alpine

Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2015 2:00PM