Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2019 4:59PM

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

ldreier, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

It is going to be a sunny day with a few clouds. Solar input will increase the potential for triggering loose wet avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Clear, light easterly wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1800 mFRIDAY: Mainly sunny, light northerly wind, alpine temperatures -2 C, freezing level 2000 m.SATURDAY: Mainly sunny, light southerly wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 2000 mSUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light south wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 2000 m

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday several loose dry and wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were observed on northerly aspects in the alpine and at treeline. A few wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were observed on solar aspects. On Tuesday several loose avalanches and slab avalanches up to size were reported.

Snowpack Summary

The recently formed wind slabs in the alpine are bonding well to the underlying layers, but there might still be isolated pockets which can be triggered by humans. On higher north aspects above 2000 m the recent new snow is sitting on dry, faceted snow. At most other places the new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a crust. Below 1800 m the entire snowpack is isothermal [wet and slushy] underneath the melt/freeze crust.

Problems

Loose Wet

The snow surface will weaken with increasing air temperatures and solar input during the day and increase the likelihood of thin loose wet avalanches running in steep terrain, especially on those slopes facing the sun.

Minimize exposure when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2019 2:00PM