Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 7th, 2019 4:09PM

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

swerner, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Stiff wind slabs may continue to be reactive to human triggers at upper elevations.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: 5 cm of new snow. Alpine temperatures near -10 and ridgetop winds light from the northeast.FRIDAY: Cloudy with snow amounts 5-7 cm. Alpine temperatures near -12 and ridgetop winds moderate from the northeast.SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -8 and ridgetop winds moderate from the northeast. SUNDAY: Sunny with alpine temperatures near -12. Ridgetop winds mostly light from the northeast with strong gusts.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, few small pockets of wind slab were easily triggered by the weight of a skier up to size 2 in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine terrain is heavily wind affected to varying degrees on all aspects. The 40-50 cm of new snow from last weekend has been redistributed initially by strong southwesterly winds and now northerly outflow winds forming reactive pockets of wind slab. This sits on a crust on all aspects except north and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets in isolated sheltered terrain at treeline and below which hasn't shown much reactivity.The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Shifting winds has formed stiff pockets of wind slab predominantly on southerly aspects. Loose dry sluffing of the new snow will likely occur from steeper terrain features.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 8th, 2019 2:00PM