Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 12th, 2015 9:27AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

New snow, high winds, rising temperatures are the perfect recipe for avalanche activity. Careful route selection is critical for safe backcountry riding at this time.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Light precipitation for today with a clearing trend for tomorrow. Saturday will see more precipitation with a possibility of 10 15 cm at upper elevations and rain below 1500m. Sunday should be clear with freezing levels dropping toÂ 1000m then slowly rising as another wave of moisture arrives on the coast.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.Forecast sunny skies may increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches on solar aspects, and cornice failures.

Snowpack Summary

Melt-freeze crusts can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, old wind slabs and surface facets still exist. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, be aware that cornices may become weak with daytime warming.

Problems

Cornices

The arrival of new snow with strong winds will build a new wind slab problem, but mature cornices are still on the radar. Rising temperatures complicates both problems.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Stay well back from cornices.>Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 13th, 2015 2:00PM