Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 1st, 2019 4:32PM

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

swerner, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Reactive wind slabs are the primary concern on all aspects at treeline and above. Smooth surface, shooting cracks and whumphing are signs of unstable snow.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

Heading into March it feels more like January. The strengthening ridge will bring us another fairly long stretch of cold, dry, windy and clear weather.SATURDAY/ SUNDAY/ MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with alpine temperatures near -13. Moderate ridgetop wind from the northeast through the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, numerous loose dry avalanches up to size 1 were reported on all aspects at treeline and above. Two skier triggered slabs were also reported on a steep southwest aspect at 1800 m. These failed at a crust interface 20-25 cm down producing size 1 alb avalanches. Check out this recent MIN report from GIN Peak. Even small terrain features at treeline have wind slab problems. This one is from the W/B Backcountry

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow sits above a plethora of old snow surfaces including firm wind slabs, sun crust on steep solar aspects, surface hoar and faceted crystal in sheltered areas. The recent low-density snow will likely have a poor bond to the previous snow surfaces and sluff easily from steeper terrain features. Switching winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects. However, the south-southwesterly aspects have been most reactive to human triggers. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Northeast winds have formed fresh and reactive wind slabs in exposed south facing terrain, while pockets of older wind slabs can be found on all aspects. Loose dry sluffing within the recent snow may be seen on steeper terrain features and slopes.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2019 2:00PM