Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2014 8:48AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Check out the latest blog post on deep persistent slab problems.For those of you planing glacier travel over the weekend, be aware that crevasses are poorly bridged. Check out the recent MCR post from Decker Mtn.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods and possible morning valley fog. Light alpine winds. Freezing level as high as 3200m with alpine temperature reaching +10 C, but cooler in valley bottoms. Sunday: Sunny with cloudy periods and possible morning valley fog. Light alpine winds. Freezing level as high as 2700m with alpine temperature reaching +5 C, but cooler in valley bottoms. Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Light alpine winds. Freezing level around 1100m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday. Loose wet avalanches are likely, especially on sun-exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow is likely undergoing a melt-freeze cycle on all but high elevation shady aspects. The record low snowpack is generally well settled and strong; however, facets with an associated laminated crust still lurk near the base. Recent snowpack tests on a SSW facing treeline slope gave hard but sudden results on a crust laminated with facets down 118cm. Below that, facets and depth hoar were found down to the ground. Although warm temperatures tend to promote settlement and strengthening over time, the initial strain could easily reawaken these deep persistent slabs.

Problems

Loose Wet

Generally small, slow, and often limited to extreme cliffy terrain; however, these dense avalanches can easily knock you off your feet and take you for a ride.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Particularly a concern on shallow rocky southern aspects with heavy triggers. Warm temperatures and sun-exposure is expected to increase the likelihood of triggering these facets deep in the snowpack. Cornice falls could also act as natural triggers.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Use caution on rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>Use caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Avoid exposure to sun exposed slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

4 - 7

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2014 2:00PM