Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 28th, 2019 5:01PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Sunny skies and a temperature inversion may trigger loose wet avalanches on steep, solar aspects.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Few clouds / Light, northwesterly winds / Low 1 C / Freezing level 1000 m with strong temperature inversion.TUESDAY: Mostly sunny / Light, northwesterly winds / High 3 C / Freezing level 2000 m. with strong temperature inversion.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate, northwesterly winds / High 3 C / Freezing level 2000 m. with strong temperature inversion.THURSDAY: Cloudy / Moderate, westerly winds / High 1 C / Freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported in the region on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface has been impacted by warm air temperatures, the sun, and recent strong northwest winds. Above 2000 m, you will likely find a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects, wind-loaded terrain features on southwesterly aspects, and dry, wind-effected snow on northerly aspects. Below 2000 m, expect to find a crust on all aspects.Beneath this, around 40 to 60 cm of snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on south aspects and a spotty weak layer of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains. There have been no observations of avalanches on this layer and snowpack test results suggest the overlying snow is bonding to the layer. Where this layer exists, it is most likely to be found between 1700 m and 2000 m.The remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.

Problems

Loose Wet

Sunny skies and a temperature inversion may trigger loose wet avalanches on steep, solar aspects.

Watch for signs that the snow is warming, such as pin-wheeling and small point-release avalanches.Avoid large slopes that are in the sunshine during the heat of the day.Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

Recent northwest winds have likely formed wind slabs. Use caution in lee terrain features adjacent to ridges.

Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation.Be cautious as you transition into wind effected terrain.Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 29th, 2019 2:00PM