Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2014 8:44AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Light snowfall / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 800mWednesday: Moderate snowfall with heavy amounts possible in direct coastal areas / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 800mThursday: Light snowfall / Light winds / Freezing level at 700m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported.

Snowpack Summary

We have received reports of surface hoar and near surface facets growing over the past few days. I suspect the sun and warm alpine temps have destroyed these crystals on solar aspects leaving a melt-freeze crust; but these crystals may stay around long enough on shaded aspects to get buried by the next storm. Northerly outflow winds have stripped north aspects and developed sastrugi waves in open terrain.Buried surface hoar and/or a thin rain crust have been reported buried down about 40 cm in the West and South of the region. There continues to be concern for weak basal facets in isolated shallow rocky snowpack areas. Early season riding hazards such as rocks, stumps and logs are lurking below the surface in many areas. In glaciated terrain open and poorly bridged crevasses are everywhere.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Previously formed wind slabs may be especially touchy where they overlie weak shallow facetted snowpacks. They will be harder to identify as they become buried by new snowfall on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets. Be aware of wide variation in snowpack depth>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Watch for areas with a shallow weak facetted snowpack below the recent storm snow. Stiff wind slabs may also be sitting above this type of weakness and step-down avalanches may be a concern in isolated areas.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 7th, 2014 2:00PM