Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 23rd, 2015–Feb 24th, 2015

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

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

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

Regions: Purcells.

Tuesday is forecast to be a cooler day than Monday. If warming persists, there will be a higher likelihood of avalanche activity, especially on steep, sun-exposed slopes.Are you a member of Avalanche Canada? Join today at avalanche.ca/membership

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

The current ridge of high pressure will persist for Tuesday and Wednesday bringing a mix of sun and cloud to the forecast region. By Wednesday evening a pacific frontal system will make its way into the Columbia Mountains, although only overcast skies and trace amounts of snow are expected on Thursday. Ridge top winds are forecast to be strong from the northwest on Tuesday, and then become light on Wednesday and Thursday. Freezing levels should hover around 1500m on Tuesday, and then drop to about 800m on Wednesday and Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

Over the last few days reported avalanche activity was limited to cornice falls from ridge crests in high elevation terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Generally light amounts of new snow cover the previous variable snow surface of crusts, surface hoar, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. Thin new wind slabs are likely in exposed lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. The 'Valentine's Day' crust is thick and supportive below 2100 m. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive in snowpack tests and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, is also a concern in some areas. Deeper weakness are likely to remain dormant for the time being.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

With cooler temperatures forecast for Tuesday, destructive persistent weak layers buried in January should become more difficult to trigger. That said, I'd limit my exposure to overhead hazards and watch for warming or intense solar radiation.

Avoid common trigger points like convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 3 - 6