Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Feb 21 – 22, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Overnight snowfall amounts Monday night are uncertain. That being said, moderate to strong winds will continue to build wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Recent new snow combined with moderate to strong winds from a variety of directions have promoted new wind slab formation on a variety of aspects.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Two weak layers consisting of a crust with small facets above buried between 50 and 180cm deep, have been responsible for several large avalanches in the past two weeks. This problem seems to be more of an issue west of the Sea to Sky highway corridor.

Snowpack Summary

Recent new snow is being redistributed by moderate to strong winds blowing primarily from the southwest.

A crust that formed in late January with small facets above it, can be found at all elevations down 40-100 cm. This crust has been reactive to rider traffic in the Rhododendron and Pemberton Icefield area. Additionally, a crust with facets above, found 80-200 cm deep and 1900m and below in elevation has recently been reactive in the Brandywine area.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with flurries, accumulation 5-15cm. Wind moderate to strong west and southwest. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 3-5cm. Wind light to moderate northeast. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Wednesday

Mainly cloudy. Wind light east and northeast. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Wind moderate northeast wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Most recent avalanche activity has been reported as size 1-1.5 windslabs in the alpine.

There was a report of a natural size 3 persistent slab avalanche in the Brandywine area on Saturday evening. This was on a northeast aspect at 1750m. More details can be found here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Regions covered