Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 4th, 2019 4:55PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
Avalanche hazard is highest at alpine elevations where snow has accumulated and been affected by the wind.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with wet flurries, trace to 5 cm snow. Moderate southeast wind with strong to extreme gusts. Freezing level 1100 m and rising early morning.SATURDAY: Unsettled, cloudy with isolated showers, trace accumulation. Moderate south-southeast wind gusting to strong. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.SUNDAY: Snow, accumulating 20-25 cm. Light south wind gusting to strong. Freezing level 900 m.MONDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, snow falling late in the day. Light northwest wind transitions to strong southwest wind. Freezing level below 500m.
Avalanche Summary
A widespread storm slab avalanche cycle on Thursday was reported in the Sea to Sky region. Storm slabs failing naturally produced very large (size 3) avalanches and skier traffic triggered smaller (size 1-2) avalanches through the day. Most had a depths around 40 cm, representing the total snow accumulated starting Wednesday. There have been no avalanche reports recently for the South Coast region, but had a similar storm to the Sea to Sky region and likely had similar avalanches conditions on Thursday.Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.
Snowpack Summary
Heavy rain overnight has saturated the snowpack to alpine elevations and settled storm snow. At high alpine elevations above the rain, dry snow has been redistributed by strong winds forming slabs and cornices. Prior to the storm a crust extended to 1500 m elevation. At the highest elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there could be a weak layer of feathery surface hoar roughly 50 cm below the new snow. Otherwise, the lower snowpack is well-settled.
Problems
Storm Slabs
The recent storm added a heavy load of snow and water to the snowpack. Natural activity has decreased, but the chance for a human triggered avalanche remains in the region, particularly at alpine elevations.
Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 5th, 2019 2:00PM
