Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 15th, 2015 8:19AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Incoming precipitation with strong S-SW winds will create wind-slabs at treeline and above on existing crusts. Surface hoar has formed in protected locations. Careful terrain evaluation will be important during this storm cycle

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

A pacific frontal system moves through Southern BC today bringing 10 to 15cm of snow at upper elevations and rain in the valleys. Friday and Saturday will give us flurries but not much precipitation. Sunday should give another 20cm of snow at upper elevations. Parts of the forecast area will see freezing levels rise to 2000m as the system moves through to the east.

Avalanche Summary

No report of avalanche activity from yesterday.

Snowpack Summary

New snow accompanied by strong South winds is being deposited on a surface crust for most of the snowpack above 1500 metres. Breakable crust below 1500 metres. Surface Hoar to ridge tops on protected North aspects.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

For the most part, this persistent slab is on lock-down right now. It might, however, be triggered at higher elevations on north aspects where the recent warm temperatures did not create a surface crust.

Be aware of thin areas where human-triggering may be possible and may propagate to deeper instabilities.>Avoid steep convexities.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Jan 16th, 2015 2:00PM