Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 10th, 2012 10:38AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Light precipitation. Freezing level around 2200 m, dropping to around 1700 m. Moderate southerly winds.Thursday: Light precipitation. Freezing level around 1200 m. Light southerly winds.Friday: Light precipitation, clearing by afternoon. Freezing level around 1200 m. Light variable winds.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, skiers triggered size 1-2 wind slabs on north-west and west aspects following overnight winds. Other recent observations include several loose-wet avalanches up to size 2 from steep solar aspects and wet slabs triggered by skiers below 1400 m. There has been some cornice fall and ice fall.

Snowpack Summary

A melt-freeze crust exists on solar aspects and at low elevations. In some areas, limited overnight cooling has kept surface snow from re-freezing, leaving it loose and cohesionless. Areas of wind slab formed with recent southerly or easterly winds. Dry settling or faceting snow can be found on high north aspects, now buried underneath these wind slabs. A predominately crusty weak interface from late March, now down 50-150cm, has become less likely to trigger, but remains a lingering concern.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Touchy wind slabs exist below ridges in some areas. These can be triggered by the weight of a person.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Warm temperatures may continue to weaken surface snow, especially at low elevations. Avoid traveling above terrain traps or under any slopes which have glide cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Persistent slab avalanches have become less likely, but remain possible, especially with a large trigger like cornice fall.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 7

Valid until: Apr 11th, 2012 9:00AM