Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 18th, 2016 8:17AM

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

pmarshall, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Warm temperatures this weekend will keep avalanche danger elevated. Use extra caution if you're starting your day on moist or wet snow.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy. The freezing level climbs to 2100-2300 m and winds are light to moderate from the S-SE. SUNDAY: Moderate snow or rain 10-20 cm/mm. The freezing level slowly lowers to 1600-1800 m. Ridge winds could be moderate from the S-SE. MONDAY: Cloudy with light snow. The freezing level is around 1600-1800 m and winds are light to moderate from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity is primarily limited to natural and explosive-triggered cornice falls and small loose wet sluffs from steep sunny terrain. There was a report of a size 1.5 accidentally triggered cornice on Thursday. Some cornice falls have been large (size 3), but have recently only entrained loose snow.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.

Problems

Cornices

Warm temperatures on the weekend could maintain cornice activity despite the disappearance of the sun.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Wind Slabs

Winds have been generally light but wind loading has been observed in some areas (particularly downslope from glaciers). Warm temperatures could also promote rider-triggered loose wet sluffs in steep terrain on all aspects.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain. >Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 19th, 2016 2:00PM