Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Feb 26 – 27, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

We could see a dusting of snow on Friday. Not enough to raise avalanche danger, but maybe it will improve snow quality a little.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Recent variable winds have produced thin wind slabs on a variety of slopes in exposed alpine terrain. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    3–6
    Triggering this problem is unlikely, but be wary of high north aspects where the near-surface crust in absent or breakable.

Confidence

Good - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

A weak trough of low pressure will bring some cloud and a chance of flurries on Friday. Generally we’re looking at 2-5 cm with a snow line at valley bottom. The ridge of high pressure rebuilds for the weekend resulting in mainly sunny skies. The freezing level is around 600-800 m on Saturday and little over 1000 m on Sunday. Winds are generally light or moderate from the NW-NE.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15cm of old storm snow sits on a thick supportive crust that extends up to around 2200m. Variable winds have created wind affected surfaces and pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain at higher elevations. Below 2200m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall).

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