Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 26th, 2016 8:06AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Don't linger underneath cornices. If the sun comes out, avoid sunny slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

The first in a series of fronts is expected to bring 5-10 cm snow overnight Friday, with moderate south-westerly winds and the freezing level dropping to around 1300 m. There is a lull on Saturday before a second front brings light snow and moderate winds again on Sunday. Another lull is expected on Monday.

Avalanche Summary

A natural cycle of size 1-3 loose wet avalanches was observed on steep sunny slopes over the last two days. A few size 1-2 wind slabs were also triggered naturally and by skiers recently, however this activity seems to have slowed.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and weak. Incoming light snow will land on variable surfaces including wind slabs and scoured surfaces, surface hoar and sun crusts. Recently formed wind slabs are generally settling, but may still be reactive to human triggers in specific terrain, and may be triggered by cornice fall. Several crusts can be found in the upper metre of the snowpack. A layer of surface hoar buried in early January is down 1-2 m. In most places it is thought to be capped by a thick strong crust and triggering an avalanche on it is unlikely.

Problems

Cornices

Large cornices are looming. These could fail under the weight of a person, or on their own. A cornice fall can also trigger an avalanche on the slope below.

Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Wind Slabs

Hard wind slabs may be difficult to spot once buried below new snow.

Avoid wind loaded features by travelling on ridges and ribs.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 27th, 2016 2:00PM