Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 26th, 2012 8:00AM

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

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Weak layers are becoming harder to trigger, or on some slopes have already failed, which will increase confidence. However when they fail the consequences are high: these layers are now a meter deep and will propagate producing large avalanches.

Summary

Problems

Persistent Slabs

This weeks meter of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab. This overlies 2 touchy layers. Recent tests indicate that these layers are triggerable by skiers, and they will propagate widely. They may be triggered from a distance.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Southerly winds during the storm transported snow, creating fat windloaded pockets and thick windslabs on exposed slopes at treeline and above. These may be triggered by skiers and may step down to the persistent weak layers below.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 27th, 2012 8:00AM