Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Mar 18 – 19, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Warm temperatures this weekend will keep avalanche danger elevated. Use extra caution if you're starting your day on moist or wet snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Winds have been generally light but wind loading has been observed in some areas (particularly downslope from glaciers). Warm temperatures could also promote rider-triggered loose wet sluffs in steep terrain on all aspects.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–5
    Warm temperatures on the weekend could maintain cornice activity despite the disappearance of the sun.

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy. The freezing level climbs to 2100-2300 m and winds are light to moderate from the S-SE. SUNDAY: Moderate snow or rain 10-20 cm/mm. The freezing level slowly lowers to 1600-1800 m. Ridge winds could be moderate from the S-SE. MONDAY: Cloudy with light snow. The freezing level is around 1600-1800 m and winds are light to moderate from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity is primarily limited to natural and explosive-triggered cornice falls and small loose wet sluffs from steep sunny terrain. There was a report of a size 1.5 accidentally triggered cornice on Thursday. Some cornice falls have been large (size 3), but have recently only entrained loose snow.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.

Regions covered