Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 27th, 2012 9:47AM

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

Avalanche Canada pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

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Sea To Sky.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Friday: Light SW winds. Freezing level near 600 m. Light snow.Saturday: Light NW winds. Freezing level near 600 m. Light snow.Sunday: Light winds. Freezing level at valley bottom. Cloudy.

Avalanche Summary

Small loose dry avalanches and wind slabs have been triggered naturally, by explosives and by skiers recently. Some large cornice chunks have been failing naturally.

Snowpack Summary

New and buried wind slabs may be found in alpine and open treeline terrain. Fragile cornices exist. A couple of storm snow weaknesses have been observed, but these are likely to be short-lived. In sheltered areas below treeline, loose snow is slowly becoming more consolidated. In general, the mid-pack is strong.Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer is now unlikely to be triggered. However, professionals are still mindful of thin snowpack trigger areas or large loads which could wake it up again, leading to a very large avalanche.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs exist in many alpine and open treeline areas. These may be difficult to spot because they have been buried by light new snow. 
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 28th, 2012 2:00PM

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