Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2014 8:02AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud with an area of warm air moving into alpine elevations. Above freezing temperatures are expected in the Alpine.Monday: Continued warm air at higher elevations with light to moderate Southwest winds and no precipitation.Tuesday: Cloudy with light to moderate Southwest winds and seasonal temperatures in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanches up to size 2.0 were observed that released in pockets of wind transported storm snow on South and Southeast aspects that were about 25 cm deep. There was one observation of a size 3.0 natural storm slab avalanche on Northeast aspect in the Pemberton area that appeared to have been triggered by loose snow sloughing from steep terrain. There was a skier remote triggered avalanche size 1.0-2.0 and a skier accidental triggered avalanche size 2.0 on a steep rocky shallow facetted slope in the Whistler backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of recent storm snow has settled into a soft storm slab. In some areas the wind has transported this available snow into a moderately stiff wind slab at higher elevations. Ski penetration has been reported to be about 15 cm and foot penetration is about 25 cm in the alpine, and about 60 cm below treeline in weak facetted snowpacks. Basal depth hoar in shallow snowpack areas also remain a concern, particularly on south aspects. Forecast warm alpine temperatures over the next few days may release weak cornices or loose moist snow from steep solar exposed aspects. Early season riding hazards such as rocks, stumps and logs are lurking below the surface in many areas. In glaciated terrain open and poorly bridged crevasses are everywhere.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Steep pockets of wind slab are expected to continue to be triggered by light additional loads in the alpine and at treeline. Wind slabs may be touchy where they are sitting above weak shallow facetted snowpacks.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Use caution around freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Watch for areas with a shallow weak facetted snowpack below the recent storm snow. Stiff wind slabs may also be sitting above this type of weakness and step-down avalanches may be a concern in isolated areas.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Wet

Loose wet or moist snow may release naturally from steep solar aspects during periods of forecast warm air at alpine elevations.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2014 2:00PM