Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 27th, 2016 7:31AM

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

Avalanche Canada esharp, Avalanche Canada

Conditions may change dramatically with aspect and elevation across the region. Avalanche danger may be lower in areas that receive less than 20cm of snow overnight and through Sunday.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: snow overnight with flurries continuing through the day, up to 20cm expected for coastal areas and around 15cm for inland regions, moderate southerly winds, 1000m freezing level. MONDAY: flurries continue with accumulations of up to 10cm possible, light to moderate southwesterly winds, 800m freezing level. TUESDAY: Light snow with another 10cm possible before clearing, light easterly winds, 1000m freezing level.

Avalanche Summary

Widespread avalanche activity was reported on Thursday with numerous natural and artificially controlled avalanches up to size two at all elevations. Wind slabs, storm slabs and cornice releases were reported at alpine and treeline elevations while several glide cracks and large loose wet avalanches released bellow treeline. On Wednesday a couple of very large wind slab avalanches are suspected to have run on the early February crust in the bear pass highway corridor.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow has been heaviest in the north of the region, creating storm and wind slabs. Up to 30cm of new snow now sits above old wind effected snow, a crust on sunny aspects or surface hoar in isolated sheltered and shady locations. Previous strong winds created widespread wind slabs and wind pressed surfaces at alpine and treeline elevations. An old crust buried around February 12th that extends up to about 2000m can now be found down 60-80cm. A layer of surface hoar buried late in January remains a lingering concern in the far North of the region.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Sustained snowfall means that storm slabs are expected to be reactive through the forecast period, especially in unsupported or wind loaded features.
Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation. >The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Several buried weak layers remain a concern depending on where you are in the region. In thin snowpack areas large avalanches can be triggered from thin spots or by heavy loads such as a cornice release or smaller avalanche.
Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a big line. >Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried weak layers.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Feb 28th, 2016 2:00PM