Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Mar 4 – 5, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Friday's storm totals are expected to vary greatly across the region. Pay close attention to how much snow falls in your riding area as snowfall amounts and warming will drive the Avalanche Danger on Saturday.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Cornices are reported to be very large and weak. Stay well back from ridgecrests and watch your overhead hazard especially with warming forecast for Saturday afternoon.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Deep and destructive storm slabs are forecast to develop on Friday night. Don't let sunny breaks lure you into aggressive terrain as you may get surprised with nasty consequences.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Warming and solar radiation on Saturday afternoon will likely trigger loose wet avalanches in steep, sun-exposed terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

The region may see up to 30cm of new snow on Friday night with extreme southwest winds. On Saturday morning expect overcast skies and lingering flurries with the possibility of sunny breaks in the afternoon. Another system will bring in up to 20cm of new snow and strong southerly winds between Saturday night and Sunday. On Monday a clearing trend is expected. The freezing level should hover around 1500m for most of the forecast period although there may be a brief spike to about 2000m on Saturday afternoon.

Avalanche Summary

Natural and artificially triggered storm slab avalanche activity in the size 2-3 range was reported from across the region on Wednesday. More recently, observations have been limited due to inclement weather. While recent storm accumulations will likely gain strength over the next few days, further storm loading on Friday night will spark a new round of destructive wind and storm slab avalanche activity on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Continued heavy snowfall and extreme southerly winds have formed deep and reactive storm slabs on lee and cross-loaded alpine and treeline features. On windward terrain, extensive scouring has been reported. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. Recent storm totals (which vary from about 60cm to over 100cm) overlie a temperature crust, old wind slabs and spotty surface hoar. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled.

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