Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Feb 23 – 24, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate

Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Recent snow and wind has created touchy slabs, particularly in the lee of terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs.

Confidence

Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Strong W winds. Light to moderate snow, starting late in the day. Alpine temperature around -6.Monday: Light to moderate NW winds. Light snow. Alpine temperature around -7.Tuesday: Light SW winds. Light snow. Alpine temperature around -7.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, naturally triggered (some by cornice fall) slabs to size 2 were observed on steep slopes. Numerous loose dry avalanches (size 1.5) failed naturally (some with cornice fall as the trigger) and with skier traffic in steep terrain on Friday. In the south-east of the region, a size 2 slab was triggered by explosives.

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of snow which fell on Friday added to recent snowfall above old surfaces including loose dry snow, old wind slabs and sun crusts. This recent snow (up to 50 cm total) has been shifted onto lee slopes by strong SW to NW winds. New storm slabs, cornices and wind slabs are likely. Mid and lower snowpack layers are generally well settled and stable.

Regions covered