Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 29th, 2015 7:58AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Incoming snow and winds will drive avalanche danger up early in the week.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Light snow is expected to begin late Monday. On Tuesday, light to moderate snow (10-25 cm) is expected. By late Wednesday, anywhere from 20- 70 cm is expected (most near the coast). Ridgetop winds are moderate to strong southerly. The freezing level is expected to hover around 1200 m, rising towards 1800 m on Wednesday.For more details check out avalanche.ca/weather

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is highly variable across different aspects and elevations. There is anywhere from 30-150 cm on the ground. Previous northerly outflow winds scoured upwind slopes back to a firm crust, and created wind slabs on lee aspects, which are gradually gaining strength. Shallow snowpack areas are rotten (facetted). Recent warm and sunny conditions in the alpine are likely to leave behind sun/temperature crusts. Forecast incoming storm snow may bond poorly to this cornucopia of surfaces.

Problems

Loose Wet

Unusually warm alpine temperatures may weaken surface snow and lead to loose wet avalanches.

Watch for clues that indicate that the snowpack is warming up, like sluffing off of cliffs, snow balling and natural avalanche activity.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Hard wind slabs may be found on a variety of slopes. Pay attention to hollow, drummy sounds and changes in the feel of the snow as you travel.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and use a cautious approach to terrain while gathering information along the way.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Nov 30th, 2015 2:00PM