Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Dec 25 – 26, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Ho, ho, HO! Here's to hoping for some appreciable snowfall later in the week.  We won't see much change until then.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Variable winds have created both hard and soft wind slabs on most aspects in the alpine and exposed treeline areas. These slabs overlie the December 15th crust and may still be reactive to light loads such as a skier or rider.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature -8. Freezing level surface.WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5 cm. Ridge wind moderate from the southwest. Temperature -8. Freezing level surface.THURSDAY: Snow. Accumulation 10 - 20 cm. Ridge wind moderate from the southwest. Temperature -3. Freezing level 700 m.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of avalanche activity since last week when there was a report of a small (size 1) skier accidental wind slab release on a north aspect in the alpine on Thursday. Last Wednesday, several small, skier-triggered avalanches were reported as well as explosives triggered slab avalanches up to Size 3 (stepping down to the late November crust) on wind-loaded slopes in the alpine and at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

A light dusting of new snow now covers a highly variable snowpack surface with hard and soft wind slabs as well as wind-scoured areas of exposed crust in the alpine, and soft unconsolidated snow in sheltered areas at treeline and below treeline. Approximately 5 cm of new snow overlies 20-40cm of old storm snow above the December 15th melt-freeze crust that formed on all aspects and elevations. Recent snowpack tests have ranged from no results, to moderate to hard resistant results on the December 15th layer.Beneath the December 15th layer lies at least 10 cm of sugary snow crystals (facets) and the late November crust, which is now buried 70-100 cm with a thin layer of facets above. Beneath this crust the lower snowpack is well settled.Some recent conditions reports can be found on the Mountain Information Network (MIN) here, and here.

Regions covered