Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 1st, 2015 7:10AM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

Are you a member of Avalanche Canada? Join today at avalanche.ca/membership

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with light precipitation and light southwest winds overnight. Freezing levels dropping to valley bottoms and remaining there until Wednesday. Snow ( 3-5 cm) ending Monday afternoon with a chance of clear skies by late afternoon as the cold arctic air arrives with moderate to strong northerly winds. Tuesday should be clear and cold with moderate northerly winds, expect alpine lows around -20. Wednesday is expected to continue to be cold and clear with a chance that freezing levels will rise up to about 800 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate northerly winds have created some thin windslabs from re-distributing the 5-20 cm of snow that is available for transport at alpine elevations. The surface snow has become facetted due to the cold overnight temperatures, and a new layer of surface hoar has been reported in some areas. Strong solar radiation has resulted in a thin breakable melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects at all elevations. The mid-February crust is reported to be strong, and has been stripped of new snow in many areas by northerly winds. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Triggering persistent slab avalanches has become unlikely, but may be possible with large loads like cornice falls. Periods of strong solar radiation may allow for triggering from weak thin snowpack areas.
Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Conditions have greatly improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Some new windslabs have developed as a result of light snowfalls and moderate northerly winds.
Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2015 2:00PM

Login