Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Rockies.
Carefully assess the wind slab hazard before committing to a feature.
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.
Weather Forecast
Monday night: up to 10cm of new snow expected with moderate to strong southwest winds and freezing levels between 1400 and 1800 m.
Tuesday: a mix of sun and cloud with up to 10 cm of new snow at higher elevations. Moderate southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 2100m.
Wednesday: a mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of snow. Light westerly winds and freezing levels around 1800 m.
Thursday: a mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 2000 m.
Avalanche Summary
Over the past few days several natural wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 have been observed in the region. In addition to the natural activity skier triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 2 have bee reported. Avalanche activity has generally been on north and east aspects and at treeline and above.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slab exists on north and east aspects in the treeline and alpine. Some south and west aspects in the alpine are scoured. A crust exists on or near the surface on solar aspects in the alpine and down up to 30cm below 2000m on all aspects.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slab exists in exposed treeline and alpine terrain. Sensitivity to triggering could be greater where wind slab overlies a crust. Strong winds mean that wind slab could be found further down slope than expected.
Wet loose avalanches could occur below treeline.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5