Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 27th, 2016 7:39AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

New snow may be hiding old wind slabs. Watch out for lee features even if there aren't obvious signs of fresh wind loading.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: flurries overnight becoming light snow through the day with total accumulations of 5 to 10cm expected, light southerly winds, 1000m freezing level. MONDAY: flurries continue, light westerly winds, 1000m freezing level. TUESDAY: flurries continue overnight before clearing through the day, light easterly winds, 1000m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small wind slabs were reported in the Alpine from the north west of the region, were recent snow fall amounts were greatest. Below treeline warm temperatures triggered a widespread loose wet avalanche cycle and glide crack releases on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow has been heaviest in the west and north of the region, creating new wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. The new snow sits above old wind effected snow, a crust on sunny aspects or surface hoar in isolated sheltered and shady locations. A rain crust may be found on the surface at lower elevations. In general the upper snow pack is reported to be bonding well to a crust buried on February 12th, now 40 to 80cm down, that extends up to around 2000m. The early January surface hoar can be typically be found between 60 and 140cm down. Although it is getting harder to trigger in most places this layer it remains a concern, especially in the north and east of the region. Shallow snowpack areas also have a weak base layer of facetted snow just above the ground.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be found in the lee of exposed features in the alpine and treeline.

Travel on ridges and ribs to avoid wind loaded areas. >Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A couple of persistent and deep persistent weak layers remains a low probability high consequence concern. Large avalanches can be triggered from thin spots or by heavy loads such as a cornice release or smaller avalanche.

Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.>Be aware of the potential for large, widely propagating avalanches due to the presence of buried weak layers.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Feb 28th, 2016 2:00PM