Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 26th, 2012 9:03AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Overcast with very light precipitation. Light winds. Freezing level near 600 m.Friday: Light SW winds. Freezing level near 600 m. Light snow.Saturday: Mainly dry with light NW winds.

Avalanche Summary

Wind slabs have been triggered naturally, by explosives and by skiers recently, but activity seems to have slowed. Some large cornice chunks have been failing naturally.

Snowpack Summary

New and buried wind slabs may be found in alpine and open treeline terrain. Fragile cornices exist. In sheltered areas below treeline, loose snow is slowly becoming more consolidated. Three surface hoar layers in the upper/mid snowpack appear to be gaining strength. In general, the mid-pack is strong.Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer has become unlikely to be triggered. However, professionals are still mindful of thin snowpack trigger areas or large loads which could wake it up again, leading to a very large avalanche.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New wind slabs may be triggered by the weight of a person on terrain features lee to easterly winds. Old wind slabs are buried in many alpine and open treeline areas.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 27th, 2012 2:00PM