Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 25th, 2016 4:19PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs and Cornices.
Grant Statham,
Avalanche Canada
For Friday we are concerned about low elevation gullies in the afternoon (Field ice climbs), and large south and west facing slopes in the afternoon. If you choose this terrain, get up early and be done by noon.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Blue skies and warm temperatures for Friday, with high's up to 5 degrees. Strong winds forecast for upper elevations MAY keep the snow surface cool, but low elevations will be hot in the afternoon - for sure.
Snowpack Summary
Suncrust exists on steep S and W aspects. Otherwise, 20-30 cm of low density snow overlies a well settled mid-pack. The Feb 11 surface hoar can be found down 50-60 cm in isolated locations around treeline and produces moderate test results. The Jan 6th layer (down 80-120 cm) is gaining strength and producing hard to no results.
Avalanche Summary
Many loose wet snow avalanches up to size 1.5 observed on Wednesday, otherwise no recent slab avalanches reported. Note that many recent slab avalanches were reported in the last week in the neighboring Banff, Yoho & Kootenay bulletin region.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
Sun and warm temps will create wet, slush like avalanches in gullies on Friday. For example areas like Guinness Gully or Pilsner will be a good place to avoid in the afternoon.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
We are tracking 2 weak layers in the upper 120 cm of the snowpack (Jan 6 and Feb 11 surface hoar). Their strength has improved, and they are sometimes hard to find. We consider these to be healing, but dig down and look for yourself.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Friday afternoon will possibly be hot, which will trigger cornice falls. Ensure you are not underneath cornices in the afternoon.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 26th, 2016 4:00PM
