Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 11th, 2017 4:39PM

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

jmcbride, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

With warm temperatures and spring-like conditions, watch for moist and wet snow as crusts breakdown during the day.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Alpine temperature +2. Freezing level 2000m.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light from the northeast. Alpine temperature +3. Freezing level 2500m.THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light from the northwest. Alpine temperature +5. Freezing level 3200m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small to large loose wet avalanches up to size 2 were observed on solar aspects last week as well as a small natural wind slab avalanche in steep terrain on a northerly aspect in the alpine on Saturday. Warming and cloud cover on Sunday produced pinwheeling and snowballing on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures have created a spring-like, melt-freeze cycle on all aspects with the overnight crust breaking down quickly due to the ongoing sunny warm weather. Surface hoar and surface facets may still exist in shaded areas on north aspects. The upper snowpack is well settled and bonding well to the late-November rain crusts although faceting has been noted around these crusts. The lower snowpack is well settled.

Problems

Loose Wet

With daytime warming loose wet avalanches may still be a lingering problem on steep or unsupported terrain features. These releases may start small but can gain mass quickly.

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps, where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 12th, 2017 2:00PM