Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 28th, 2012 9:03AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Friday night and Saturday: Light snowfall on Friday night with a clearing trend throughout Saturday / Moderate southwest winds associated with Friday's system becoming light and northwesterly on Saturday / Freezing level at 900mSunday: Clear skies / Light and variable winds / Freezing level at 900m with the possibility of an inversionMonday: Mostly clear skies / Light southwest winds / Freezing level at 1100m with the possibility of an inversion

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday several size 1 very soft slab avalanches were triggered by ski cutting. A size 1.5 natural cornice release was observed in the region on Thursday. No slab released on the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

Relatively new and buried wind slabs may be found in alpine and open treeline terrain. Fragile cornices exist. A couple of storm snow weaknesses have been observed, but these are likely to be short-lived. In sheltered areas below treeline, loose snow is slowly becoming more consolidated. In general, the mid-pack is strong.Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer is now unlikely to be triggered. However, professionals are still mindful of thin snowpack trigger areas or large loads which could wake it up again, leading to a very large avalanche.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Stubborn wind slabs exist in many alpine and open treeline areas. These may be difficult to spot because they have been buried by light snowfall. Cornices may also be weak.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 29th, 2012 2:00PM