Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 14th, 2015 9:23AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Wind slabs and Cornices are still on the radar.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Precipitation should taper off late today ( Saturday) and give the Sea to Sky region a somewhat sunny Sunday. Small amounts of precipitations will return on Sunday and Monday but will not produce much moisture. Freezing level for Sunday and Monday will be close to 1000m, then begin to rise early in the new week.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from yesterday tell of a few size 1 storm slab, wind slab and loose-wet avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Melt-freeze crusts can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. Old wind slabs and surface facets may still still exist on high north facing slopes. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. Cornices may become weak with daytime warming. and incoming precipitation will develop wind slabs on lee slopes.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent storm snow with accompanying wind is building wind slabs on lee slopes

Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

New snow and wind continues to buil large cornices

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 15th, 2015 2:00PM