Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 15th, 2012 9:17AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Monday: Cold with some flurries. Freezing level near surface.Tuesday: Light snow. Westerly winds. Cold.Wednesday: Moderate-heavy snow (poor confidence in Wednesday's snowfall amounts at this stage - stay posted).

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, numerous avalanches were triggered by skiers and explosives. They failed in, or at the base of, the storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

Treeline snowpack depths are around 250cm.New snow has been shifted into wind slabs overlying a hard crust, which is topped by surface hoar in some locations. It may be easy to trigger slabs on this interface, which is most prevalent below 1900m. Deeper in the snowpack, a series of old storm snow layers and wind slabs have generally bonded well to each other and are now gaining strength, with hard results in snowpack tests.Concern for lower snowpack layers has diminished and remains only in shallow snowpack areas. Facets associated with a crust from mid-December and/or sugary facets at the base of the snowpack may still be a concern in shallow areas. Cornices are large and have shown fragility recently.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Although old wind slabs appear to have bonded fairly well, new wind slabs are likely to form quickly if the wind picks up again. Be alert for wind slab development in unusual locations as winds may be variable over the next few days.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Dry

Loose dry snow can sluff easily in steep terrain. In the wrong terrain, it could knock you off your feet, or carry you into a terrain trap.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 16th, 2012 8:00AM