Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 26th, 2017 7:54AM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeRemember to always use safe backcountry travel techniques and good group management. Use caution around cornices and unsupported shallow snowpack areas.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Expect unsettled weather today bringing cloudy skies with some sunny periods. A few cms of new snow are forecast today with potential for more with convective activity. Temperature in the alpine will get up to -13 deg with NE winds to 15 kph. Precipitation is forecast to start Tuesday afternoon with warming temps and increasing winds.
Snowpack Summary
Flurries have deposited 10-20cm of low density snow. In the alpine winds have created a variable windslab. On Solar aspects a supportive sun/temp crust is just below the surface. Below 1600m a strong temp crust exists on all aspects. The lower snowpack is still facetted and weak from the cold temps in Dec & Jan
Avalanche Summary
In the last few days two size 2- 2.5 slab avalanches occurred off of Mt. Macdonald. A size 1 wind slab was accidentally triggered on Glacier Crest aswell. Heavy sluffing was observed Saturday on steep, Northerly treeline features. The sluff was relatively small in size but could knock a rider off their feet or pile up deep in a terrain trap.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate winds from the South yesterday have switched to more Northerly this morning. Expect windslab to be present on both aspects and use caution as you transition to ridge top or mid slope lee features.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
New low density snow is sluffing fast in steep unsupported terrain. It has the potential to knock a rider off their feet or push them into a terrain trap.
Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain, particularly where the debris flows into terrain traps.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 27th, 2017 8:00AM