Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2017 3:35PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Alpine temperatures are sky rocketing! Dial back your terrain choices when the snow gets moist or mushy and avoid cliffs, gullies, and steep slopes with trees.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Sunny, light wind, freezing level around 3200 m.FRIDAY: Sunny, light wind, freezing level around 3000 m.SATURDAY: Increasing cloud, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing level around 2500 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, a few small loose avalanches were reported on steep south-facing slopes, showing the initial effects of the warm weather. More wet loose activity can be expected thanks to the sustained warming this week.

Snowpack Summary

Dramatic warming will cause widespread melting of the surface snow, especially on south-facing slopes. Crusts may form overnight, but will melt quickly in the mornings. The 40-60 cm of storm snow that fell last week is rapidly settling and bonding well to the late November rain crusts. Up high, shifting winds (first from the south, and more recently from the north) have blown snow around in exposed areas creating drifts and scoured areas.

Problems

Loose Wet

Conditions will be more like spring than winter this week. Surface snow layers can become weak when hit by the sun. Minimize your exposure to terrain traps - even small sluffs can push you into dangerous terrain.

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps, where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Use extra caution on sunny slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Isolated winds slabs have formed on a variety of aspects at higher elevations, and in some cases sit above a buried crust. Be careful on steep convex terrain or where the wind has blown the snow into more cohesive slabs.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded featuresBe alert to changing snow conditions, especially where the snow firms up or sounds hollow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 7th, 2017 2:00PM