Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 29th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Cornices.
ghelgeson,
Avalanche Canada
A warm to cold pattern has reduced our avalanche problems to cornices and wind slabs at the highest elevations.
Summary
Confidence
High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
Warmer funky weather is with us for the forecast period.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Freezing level returning to valley bottom, light variable wind, a trace of snow possible.
SUNDAY: Scattered cloud cover in the morning with some afternoon clearing, freezing level beginning at valley bottom rising to 1500 m during the day, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.
MONDAY: Clear skies at dawn building to broken cloud cover in the afternoon, freezing level beginning at valley bottom rising to 1600 m during the day and then staying there until Wednesday night, light southwest wind at lower elevations, strong west/northwest wind at mountain top, no precipitation expected.
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, freezing level holding around 1800 m, moderate to strong west/southwest wind, no significant precipitation expected.
Avalanche Summary
Temperatures warmed up in a big way Friday leaving a crust on the surface that extends from valley bottom to somewhere around 1900 m. For the short term, this crust should serve to neutralize the wind slab problem (except for the highest elevation slopes near ridge crest) but, cornices are still a problem.Â
There was a report of a natural cornice failure on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
Friday was quite warm which allowed for further settlement of the upper snowpack. 20 cm of well settled snow rests on a variety of old surfaces including a firm crust on solar aspects, soft faceted snow, possibly a spotty surface hoar layer and old wind slabs near ridge crest. Wind slabs are unlikely to be a problem, except in the highest elevation and more extreme terrain near ridge crest.Â
A thick rain crust that has facets associated with it sits 30-60 cm below the surface and can be found up to ridge top. We have only seen one avalanche on this layer since February 17th.
The mid-pack is well settled and strong, but the base of the snowpack contains basal facets that are most prominent in shallow rocky start zones.
Terrain and Travel
- Large cornice falls are dangerous on their own.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
Problems
Cornices
Cornices have grown large and loom over many ridge lines. These have the potential to fail naturally with the natural rise and fall of temperatures throughout the day, they could also fail if we get too close to them. Give these things a wide berth. Wind slabs are not expected to be much of a problem right now, but be aware of the potential for wind slabs in the highest elevation terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 1st, 2020 5:00PM
