Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 25th, 2013 9:32AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Light NW wind. Alpine temperature near -6. Light snow is possible.Sunday: Moderate SW wind. Alpine temperature near -8. 5-15 cm snow is possible.Monday: Light NW wind. . Alpine temperature near -10. Light snow is possible.

Avalanche Summary

Small soft slabs and loose dry avalanches have been failing naturally and with skier traffic.

Snowpack Summary

Around 25cm of new snow overlies a medley of surfaces including hard wind slabs, thin and thick crusts and large surface hoar crystals which can be found in sheltered areas below treeline. Recent winds have shifted snow into soft and hard slabs on lee slopes. A surface hoar layer buried down 40-80 cm seems to be gaining strength. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer exists, which is now unlikely to be triggered, except perhaps by heavy triggers in unsupported, shallow, rocky terrain where more faceting has taken place.

Problems

Storm Slabs

In areas affected by wind, wind slabs are likely to be encountered. These could be triggered by the weight of a person or snowmobile. Be alert for loose dry avalanches in other areas.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 26th, 2013 2:00PM