Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 25th, 2016 7:59AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Large, fragile cornices demand respect. Give them a wide berth on ridges and avoid travelling underneath them.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

The first of two cold fronts is expected to bring light snow late on Friday, with moderate south-westerly winds and the freezing level dropping to around 1600 m. There is a lull on Saturday before the second front brings light snow and moderate winds again on Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

A few small wind slabs were triggered by skiers over the last two days. Loose wet avalanches were also reported on steep solar aspects. Cornices are large and fragile, and may fail under the weight of a person.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and weak. Recently formed storm slabs and wind slabs are generally settling, but may still be reactive to human triggers in specific terrain, and may be triggered by cornice fall. Several crusts can be found in the upper metre of the snowpack. A layer of surface hoar buried in early January is down 1-2 m. In most places it is thought to be capped by a thick strong crust. It is becoming increasingly hard to make this layer fail in snowpack tests and triggering an avalanche on it is unlikely.

Problems

Cornices

Large cornices are looming. These could fail under the weight of a person, or on their own. A cornice fall can also trigger a large avalanche on the slope below.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on ridges.>Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs can be found behind ridges and terrain breaks. It may still be possible to trigger these with the weight of a person or snowmobile.

Travel on ridges or ribs to avoid wind loaded features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 26th, 2016 2:00PM