Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 7th, 2015 8:30AM

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

Peter, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Sunshine are warmth are the primary drivers of avalanche hazard. Avoid sun exposed slopes in the afternoon, and stick to higher, shady aspects for the best snow.

Summary

Confidence

Good - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Mainly sunny. The freezing level climbs to around 2000 m during the day and drops below 1500 m overnight. Winds are light and variable. Thursday: Mainly sunny. The freezing level climbs to around 2000 m during the day and drops below 1500 m overnight. Winds are light and variable. Friday: Cloudy with light to moderate snow. The freezing level lowers to 1500 m and winds increase to moderate or strong from the S-SW.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports include minor pinwheeling or loose wet sluffs in steep sun-exposed terrain. There is also a possibility of cornice falls with daytime warming and intense spring sunshine.

Snowpack Summary

Older dry powder (up to 25 cm) can still be found on north facing or shady slopes above 1800-2000 m. Previous southwest winds may have blown dry snow into wind slabs in lee terrain. Expect an ongoing melt-freeze cycle on all sun-exposed slopes. A facet/crust layer buried in mid-March is down approximately 70-130 cm and is still producing hard but sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains a concern in the region due to it's potential to produce very large avalanches. Cornices are also a concern these days. A cornice failure may trigger a large destructive avalanche.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A couple of persistent weak layers are still present in the upper snowpack. These have not been reactive for a few days now, but intense spring sun or cornice falls could be enough to reawaken this problem.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of a buried crust/facet layer.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Wet

Expect loose wet slides on steep sun-exposed slopes during the afternoon.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Cornices are large and weak in some places, and could fail with daytime warming and solar radiation.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 8th, 2015 2:00PM