Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 14th, 2012–Jan 15th, 2012

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Overnight Saturday: Another 5-10cm should bring storm snow amounts to 20-30cm.Sunday: Flurries. Cold temperatures, with the freezing level near valley floor. Northerly winds.Monday/Tuesday: Two main influences will battle for control of the region's weather: cold arctic air and a low pressure centre near Vancouver Island with an associated westerly flow. Expect some flurries, cold temperatures and the chance of strong outflow (northerly or easterly) winds if the arctic air dominates.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Treeline snowpack depths are around 250cm.New snow has been shifted into wind slabs overlying a hard crust, which is topped by surface hoar in some locations. It may be easy to trigger slabs on this interface, which is most prevalent below 1900m. Deeper in the snowpack, a series of old storm snow layers and wind slabs have generally bonded well to each other and are now gaining strength, with hard results in snowpack tests.Concern for lower snowpack layers has diminished and remains only in shallow snowpack areas. Facets associated with a crust from mid-December and/or sugary facets at the base of the snowpack may still be a concern in shallow areas. Cornices are large and have shown fragility recently.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may bond poorly to a hard icy crust and be easy to trigger. Be alert for wind slab development in unusual locations as winds change direction over the next few days.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4

Loose Dry

Loose dry snow is likely to sluff easily in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3