Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 26th, 2015 7:22AM

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.

Peter, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

We could see a dusting of snow on Friday. Not enough to raise avalanche danger, but maybe it will improve snow quality a little.

Summary

Confidence

Good - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

A weak trough of low pressure will bring some cloud and a chance of flurries on Friday. Generally we’re looking at 2-5 cm with a snow line at valley bottom. The ridge of high pressure rebuilds for the weekend resulting in mainly sunny skies. The freezing level is around 600-800 m on Saturday and little over 1000 m on Sunday. Winds are generally light or moderate from the NW-NE.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15cm of old storm snow sits on a thick supportive crust that extends up to around 2200m. Variable winds have created wind affected surfaces and pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain at higher elevations. Below 2200m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall).

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent variable winds have produced thin wind slabs on a variety of slopes in exposed alpine terrain.

Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Triggering this problem is unlikely, but be wary of high north aspects where the near-surface crust in absent or breakable.

Be aware of thin areas and rock outcroppings where it may be possible to initiate an avalanche that fails on one of the deeply buried weak layers.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Feb 27th, 2015 2:00PM