Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 19th, 2015 8:12AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

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Summary

Confidence

Good - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

Conditions will remain dry and mild through the forecast period with diurnal fluctuations in the freezing level (the spring-like pattern where the temperature can drop by up to 10 degrees overnight only to rise again through the day). A cold front moving in from the northeast will being light perception and through Friday and Saturday before clear skies return on Sunday. Winds will be predominately light from the north to northeast through the period. Freezing levels are forecast to reach a high of 1600m on Friday, and 1200m on Saturday and Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently

Snowpack Summary

A thick, solid crust can be found at the surface on all but highest alpine slopes . It sounds like the best riding is in the North of the region where a thin dusting covers old wind pressed snow in alpine. The recent winds have been light to moderate from the southwest and I suspect that you can find isolated thin windslabs in lee features. Below 2200 to 2400m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack and protecting a couple of buried persistent week layers. The mid-January surface hoar is around 60 to 80cm down. The mid-December crust is becoming harder to find but where it does exist (mainly at treeline elevations) it is over a meter down. At upper elevations where these layers are note protected by the crust it could still be possible to trigger an avalanche form a thin or rocky spot.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow may hide old wind slabs lurking below ridge crests and in exposed gullies. These isolated pockets of stiff snow can fracture surprising distances above you and into low-angled terrain catching people by surprise.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Large avalanches are unlikely in most places but may be possible in the high alpine where a large trigger in a thin rocky spot could cause an avalanche on a buried persistent week layer.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, the surface crust that is protecting deeper weak layers tapers out in the high alpine.>Be aware of the potential for very large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar or a facet/crust layer.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Feb 20th, 2015 2:00PM