Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 27th, 2019 3:44PM

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

ldreier, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Temperatures are increasing slightly. How much the sun can affect the snowpack and increase the potential for triggering loose wet avalanches depends on the cloud coverage.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear, moderate southeast winds, alpine temperature of -5 C, freezing level at 1400 m THURSDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, up to 2 cm snow accumulation overnight, light to moderate Easterly winds, alpine temperatures of -4 C, freezing level at 1800 m.FRIDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, light Easterly winds, alpine temperatures of -2 C, freezing level at 2000 m.SATURDAY: Few clouds, light Southerly winds, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level at 2000 m

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday several loose avalanches and slab avalanches up to size 2 which released in the recent storm snow were reported. No avalanche activity was reported on Sunday and Monday.

Snowpack Summary

The recently formed wind slabs in the alpine are bonding well to the underlying layers. On higher north aspects above 2000 m it may sit on some dry, faceted snow and/or isolated old wind slabs. At most other places the new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a crust. There are still a handful of melt/freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is gaining strength in consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.

Problems

Loose Wet

Depending on the duration the sun comes out it will weaken the surface snow and increase the likelihood of thin loose wet avalanches running in steep terrain, especially on those slopes facing the sun.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Minimize exposure when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 28th, 2019 2:00PM