Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 1st, 2017 4:13PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

cam_c, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Touchy storm slabs will develop with forecast strong winds and snow.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Continued snow with another 15 - 20 cm. Strong SW winds. Continued gradual warming with freezing level around 1100m and temperatures approaching a few degrees below freezing near treeline.FRIDAY: Periods of snow with another 5 - 10 cm. Moderate SW winds. Temperatures starting to cool with freezing level lowering to around 900m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing another 5-10 cm. Light southerly winds and freezing levels dropping to 700 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported Tuesday or Wednesday morning. This will likely change as wind driven snow starts to accumulate.

Snowpack Summary

As of Wednesday morning, much of the region received 10-20cm of fresh snow accompanied by southwesterly winds, which has blanketed previously wind-affected surfaces (e.g. scoured crust, hard sastrugi, or stubborn wind slabs) in exposed areas, or around 20 cm of faceted snow in sheltered areas. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and strong. The forecast shift in the weather means new wind slabs and storm slabs will be forming.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Touchy storm slabs will form with continued snowfall and warming temperatures, and expected to be especially deep and touchy on wind loaded slopes.

Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Storm snow is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2017 2:00PM