Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Dec 27 – 28, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Keep terrain selection conservative

Concern is for elevations above the freezing level where sensitive wind slabs continue to build. Large human triggered avalanches were reported

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Wind slabs are expected to continue to build with continued snow and strong southerly winds. Slabs sit over a reactive surface hoar and crust layer.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, numerous size 2-2.5 human triggered avalanches were reported (including from explosive control). A notable size 3 avalanche was reported on a west facing slope, indicating wind direction has varied throughout this region.

These avalanches all occurred at treeline and on the crust/surface hoar layer below the recent storm snow.

Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

Continued snow and rain are expected over the day. The warm and moist snow will settle rapidly, becoming dense and presenting as a slab. Strong southerly winds have continued to transport new snow, building deeper slabs at higher elevations. This wind affected snow sits over a crust and layer of surface hoar, increasing reactivity.

Below treeline, you'll find dirt, or shallow and wet snow.

The mid and lower snowpack is made up of a series of crusts and rounded grains and is well consolidated.

Overall, the snow depth tapers rapidly with elevation and remains shallow creating challenging travel conditions and hiding early season hazards just below the snow surface.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow on the highest peaks. Freezing levels rise towards 2000 m. Southerly winds increase, 50-70 km/h.

Wednesday

Cloudy. Freezing levels begin the day at 2000 m and drop to 1600 m over the day. Up to 15 cm of snow is possible. Treeline temperature around 5 °C. Strong southerly winds continue, 70-90 km/h.

Heavy snow continues overnight.

Thursday

Cloudy. Freezing levels 1500-1800m. 5-15 cm of wet snow expected. Treeline temperature around 4 °C. Southerly winds, 60-80 km/h.

Friday

Cloudy. Freezing levels remain above 2000 m with light rain below. Treeline temperature around 5 °C. Southerly winds, 40-60 km/h.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.

Regions covered