Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Sea To Sky.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
MONDAY: Cloudy with light morning snow and afternoon clearing, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, light southwesterly winds, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1500 m rising to 2000 m by late afternoon.TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud early morning then mostly cloudy with rain switching to snow at higher elevations, accumulation 10 mm, moderate to strong southerly winds, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 2600 m dropping to 1700 m over the day.WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with light snowfall, light southeasterly winds, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1500 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, ski cuts and explosives triggered many cornices and storm slabs. Cornices were generally small (size 1.5), but they triggered slabs on slopes below. The storm slabs were also generally small (size 1 to 1.5), 10 to 20 cm thick. Loose wet avalanches were observed below about 1900 m.
Snowpack Summary
Around 30 cm of recent snow and strong southerly winds have created new slabs at higher elevations. This snow overlies a melt-freeze crust. On ridges, cornices are reported to be large and fragile. At lower elevations, recent precipitation fell as rain, so expect moist or wet snow conditions.A weak layer consisting of surface hoar, facets, or a sun crust from late March is now buried about 60 to 90 cm. This layer is spotty in its distribution but has recently produced large avalanches. It is mostly likely to be problematic on shady aspects between 1900 m and 2250 m.Below this, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3