Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 1st, 2015 8:45AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Conditions have changed in the last few days. New winds slabs have increased the Avalanche Danger.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Another pacific frontal system will bring up to 10cm of snow to the Coast on Monday. Lingering flurries are expected on Tuesday before a dry ridge of high pressure develops for Wednesday. Ridgetop winds are forecast to be moderate to strong from the southwest on Monday, and then decrease to light on Tuesday and Wednesday. Freezing levels should hover around 1000m for the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

At the time of publishing this bulletin, no new avalanches had been reported. That said, I'm sure there was a good round of wind slab activity in response to Sunday's weather. With more snow on the way, I expect continued wind slab activity in lee terrain at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate amounts of new snow overlie a hard rain crust that exists up to at least 2100m. The new accumulations have been shifted by strong southwest winds into new wind slabs which may be especially reactive due to the underlying crust.Deeper snowpack weaknesses have become unreactive on account of the strong capping crust layer.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and strong southwest winds have formed new wind slabs in lee terrain. Wind slabs may be especially reactive due to underlying crusts.

Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2015 2:00PM