Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 25th, 2017 3:49PM

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

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

Changing winds may transport recent storm snow into deep pockets on several aspects

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud / Alpine temperature -7 C / Light to moderate north windMONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate north wind / Alpine temperature -7TUESDAY: Periods of snow, accumulation 10-15cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -3More details can be found on the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity reported in the south of the region. Some loose snow sluffing from steep terrain has been reported. Changing wind directions may develop new wind slabs in the alpine. There was a report of a size 2.5 natural avalanche in the northern part of the region. This may have happened in the last 3 days and possibly failed on a persistent weak layer buried early february on a NW aspect in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

A recent addition of up to 5cm of new snow has not changed the snowpack structure since the weekend. A new layer of surface hoar may have been buried early Monday morning. Recent clear cold weather and shifting winds have created a variety of surface conditions including isolated wind slabs, pockets of soft snow (15-25 cm deep), sun crusts, and surface hoar. A supportive rain crust exists below 1000 m. A layer of surface hoar that was buried on February 10th can be found buried 30-60 cm deep at tree line elevations and has been reactive in some recent snowpack tests. Below this layer, the snowpack is generally settled and strong. The exception is shallow snowpack areas around Bear Pass and Ningunsaw where basal facets remain an ongoing concern.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs likely exist on a variety of aspects, including fresh wind slabs formed by outflow winds and lingering wind slabs from last week's storm.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 26th, 2017 2:00PM

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