Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2013 10:20AM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet and Cornices.

mpeter, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Danger could INCREASE TO CONSIDERABLE with intense radiation on south and west aspects, especially at treeline and below. Be aware of how the warm weather is changing the snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Saturday/Sunday: The high pressure system digs deeper! Winds remain light under clear, sunny skies. Alpine temperatures climb to near double digits for Sunday afternoon with freezing levels reaching 3000m. It is possible that there will not be a refreeze at treeline and below on Sunday night.Monday: The ridge should begin to break down. Skies will remain clear, light southwesterly winds should begin to blow and alpine temperatures will climb to just above freezing.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet sluffs up to size 2.0 have been reported on south and west aspects. Isolated large cornice falls have also been reported; none of these recent cornice events have pulled slabs on the slopes below.

Snowpack Summary

Recent warm temperatures have created melt freeze crusts up to 2200m on all aspects and to ridgecrest on south and west facing terrain. These crusts break down with daytime warming and the surface snow can lose cohesion as a result. Isothermal conditions as deep as 100cm at treeline on south aspects have been reported. Cornices are huge!Mid and lower snowpack layers are well bonded.

Problems

Loose Wet

Direct sun and/or warm temperatures may trigger loose snow avalanches.

Avoid travelling on slopes which are becoming wet due to warm temperatures, or sun.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Cornices are large and weak. Daytime warming and/or direct sunshine could cause cornices to fail, possibly triggering a slab on the slope below.

Stay well back from cornices.>Be cautious on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2013 2:00PM