Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Apr 12 – 13, 2012Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–7
    Persistent slab avalanches have become less likely, but remain possible, especially with a large trigger like cornice fall.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Warm temperatures may continue to weaken surface snow, especially at low elevations. Avoid traveling above terrain traps or under any slopes which have glide cracks.

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Friday: Clouds and a few cm of snow, falling as rain below about 1400 m. Freezing level around 1600 m. Light northerly winds.Saturday: cloudy with sunny breaks. Light, variable winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.Sunday: Warm, dry and cloudy. Freezing level rising to 1800-2000 m. Light winds, increasing from the SW by evening as a low pressure system approaches.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, several size 1-2 loose moist avalanches were triggered by solar warming or by people. On Sunday, a natural and human-triggered wind slab cycle occurred on north-west and west aspects following overnight winds. A size 3 natural slab is suspected to have stepped down to the March crust on Monday. It failed on a sun-exposed south-west aspect at 2300 m. There has also been some cornice fall.

Snowpack Summary

A generally strong and deep spring snowpack exists. A crust layer from late March, buried within the upper 2 m of the snowpack, remains a concern. Recent warm weather has led to moist snow on all aspects to about 2200 m, which is expected to have formed a crust, now covered by a small amount of new snow. On north aspects above about 2400 m, dry snow may still be found. Large cornices threaten slopes and glide slab releases are a possibility, especially in steep rocky terrain.

Regions covered