Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2014 8:00AM

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

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

With cold temps we should see less natural avalanche activity, but it is still possible to trigger large avalanches. Stay vigilant; stick to conservative terrain and use safe travel practices like regrouping in safe spots.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure means sunny skies, but arctic air moving into the region today will bring cold temps. Temps are forecast to drop through the day, with a low of -30 tonight and a high of -19 for saturday. Ridgetop winds should be light today, but rising to moderate N/NE tomorrow. On Sunday expect increasing cloud and isolated flurries.

Snowpack Summary

The Jan 28/Feb 10 PWL down 1-1.4m under a cohesive slab, is becoming more difficult to trigger but has high propagation propensity. Avy techs in the Bonney area yesterday had a whumph on this layer off the moraines and hard sudden planar results testing it at 2130m on a NE aspect. A surface sun crust has been found on steep solar aspects.

Avalanche Summary

It's starting to feel like spring. Natural avalanche activity has been occurring from steep solar aspects, producing loose wet avalanches. Numerous size 1.5-2.5 have been observed daily from steep southerly aspects along the highway corridor daily.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A weak, persistent layer is buried under a thick slab. This layer is becoming more difficult to trigger, but if triggered will propagate widely producing a very large avalanche. Choosing appropriate terrain is key in managing this problem.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Cornices

Cornices may be destabilized by fluctuating temperatures. If they fail, they could be the big trigger to initiate an avalanche in the deeper layers.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2014 8:00AM