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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 1st, 2015–Mar 2nd, 2015
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Rockies.

A surging Arctic front should deliver light snow and moderate winds, which will elevate the avalanche danger slightly.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Monday: Mainly cloudy with light snow – 5-10 cm possible. The freezing level is at valley bottom. Ridge winds are moderate from the northeast. Tuesday and Wednesday: Mainly sunny and a few degrees cooler (lows close to -20 and highs near -10). Winds are generally light from the W-NW.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently but observations are limited.

Snowpack Summary

A few centimetres of new snow sits on the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust around 10-30 cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall).

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecast new snow and moderate northerly winds could combine to create fresh wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. The new snow could also sluff off as loose dry avalanches in steep sheltered terrain.
Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Triggering this problem is unlikely, but be wary of high north aspects where the near-surface crust in absent or breakable, and use caution around large overhanging cornices.
Be aware of thin areas and rock outcroppings where it may be possible to initiate an avalanche that fails on one of the deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 3 - 6