Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 1st, 2015 7:07AM

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

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Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Cloudy overnight with developing northwest winds and alpine temperatures around -10. Overcast with snow starting late morning. Most areas should see 5-10 cm, and areas in the southeast may see enhanced precipitation as the arctic air dives south and collides with some warmer Pacific air. The snow should end by Tuesday morning when skies clear and the high pressure re-builds over the interior. Wednesday should be clear and cold with light winds.

Avalanche Summary

Facetted surface snow has been reported to be sloughing in steep terrain. Isolated pockets of windslab have been reactive to skier triggering up to size 1.0.

Snowpack Summary

There is quite a bit of variability across the region in regards to new snow amounts. The surface is also variable with everything from dry new snow, loose facetted snow, windslabs, to sun crusts. There is 5-30 cm of facetted new snow and surface hoar above the mid-February crust. 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. 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.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Northerly winds may develop pockets of windslab in the alpine.
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