Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 28th, 2015–Mar 1st, 2015

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

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Rockies.

There is snow on the horizon, but it's hard to say how much. This new snow should bump danger up a notch. Are you a member of Avalanche Canada? Join today at avalanche.ca/membership

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

The ridge of high pressure maintains dry conditions on Sunday with a freezing level a little over 1000 m. An approaching Arctic cold front should result in increasing cloud late Sunday and light snow beginning overnight or on Monday. Some areas could see 10 cm or more on Monday. The freezing level is at valley bottom and ridge winds are moderate from the NE. Tuesday should be a drier, sunnier and cooler day under the influence of the Arctic High.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently.

Snowpack Summary

A couple 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 just 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

Persistent Slabs

Triggering this problem is unlikely, but be wary of high north aspects where the near-surface crust in absent or breakable, and south facing slopes if the surface is becoming moist or wet.

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