Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2016 7:39AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Cornices.

pmarshall, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

A mild spring-like pattern continues. Avalanche danger will vary depending on aspect, elevation, and time of day. Stay tuned in to signs of instability.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Cloudy with flurries early, then sun and cloud. The freezing level is around 2000 m. Ridge winds are moderate or strong from the SW, easing in the afternoon. Wednesday: Increasing cloud with showers or flurries late. The freezing level remains near 2000 m and winds increase to strong from the SW. Thursday: Cloudy with flurries. The freezing level should drop to 1600-1800 m and winds remain moderate or strong from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm of moist new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects and lower elevation terrain, surface hoar on sheltered slopes, and wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Soft new wind slabs might be hiding older, harder wind slabs on exposed north aspects in the alpine. Cornices have grown significantly recently. In some areas you may find a supportive crust down 30cm that extends up to around 1900m. A layer of buried surface hoar can be found between 40 and 60cm down and remains a concern, primarily west of the Continental Divide. The snowpack rests on a weak crust/facet layer from early December.

Problems

Loose Wet

Sunny breaks are possible each day this week. Expect loose wet sluffs on sun-exposed slopes if the sun is strong.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep sun-exposed terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Light amounts of new snow combined with strong SW ridge winds should form fresh wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Old harder wind slabs may still be lurking on a variety of aspects in the alpine.

Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets on steep slopes below ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Cornices should continue to grow with mild temperatures, steady ridge winds, and light snowfalls. They could fail naturally or under light loads.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 16th, 2016 2:00PM