Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 18th, 2015 4:16PM

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

Parks Canada tim mcallister, Parks Canada

Careful with increasing solar inputs Cornices are large and looming-give them a wide berth.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Flurries expected Thursday and Friday though not expected to amount to much.  Above seasonal temperatures are expected and rain could fall in the valley bottoms.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar continues to grow at all elevations.  Up to 50cm of settled snow overlies a variety of crusts and provides good travel.  These firmer upper layers are resting on 50-75cm of weak, poorly bonded faceted snow crystals. Cornice drops and step downs could trigger large avalanches in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Caution in shallow and unsupported areas where wind slab has formed.
Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
Cornice failures or skier travel in shallow snowpack areas are likely ways to trigger this deep weakness in the snowpack.
Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 19th, 2015 4:00PM