Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Mar 21 – 22, 2022Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 5 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

 Keep an eye on the snow surface. As the freezing level rises and the snow surface becomes moist wet loose avalanches will increase in size and likelihood. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

     Wind slabs could still be found in exposed treeline and alpine terrain. 

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

     Ongoing winds have formed overhanging cornices. The likelihood of natural cornice falls can increase with warming. 

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

     As freezing levels rise the size and likelihood of wet loose avalanches will increase. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Moderate southwest winds becoming strong. Freezing level around 1400 m. 

Tuesday: Cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 cmof new snow in the morning with a mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon. Strong southwest winds. Freezing levels rising to 2500 m.

Wednesday: Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow expected. Strong southwest winds in the morning and light in the evening. Freezing level around 2000 m.

Thursday: Sunny with no new snow expected. Light variable winds and freezing levels around 1600 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday several skier and explosive controlled storm and wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported. These avalanches were generally at or above treeline and on northerly aspects. One size 2 explosive controlled cornice fall was reported as well. This avalanche did not pull a slab on the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs can be found on north and east aspects at treeline and above. Moist snow could be observed on all aspects and elevations. South facing slopes in the alpine are a mix of wind pressed and scoured surfaces.

40 to 90 cm overlies the mid March layer. This layer presents as surface hoar in shady, wind-sheltered areas and a hard melt-freeze crust on all aspects below 1700 m and on sun-exposed slopes into the alpine. No avalanche activity has taken place on this layer recently and observations suggest the slab above is well bonded.

Over one meter deep, a layer of facets may be found above a melt-freeze crust that formed in February. This layer had been most reactive on north and northeast aspects between 1600 and 2100 m. This layer is currently considered dormant. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Regions covered