Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 1st, 2017 5:11PM

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

mgrist, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Successive moderate storms will keep danger elevated, particularly in steep, wind-affected terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Lingering flurries are forecast for Saturday, with a clearing trend for Sunday and fine (warm) weather next week. Saturday: Scattered flurries (5-10cm new snow) with freezing levels around 900 m. Moderate southerly winds.Sunday: Dry with some sunny breaks. Light northwesterly winds. Freezing level 700m.Monday: Dry with sunny periods. Light northerly winds. Freezing levels around 700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past three days, ski cutting has consistently produced soft slab avalanches up to size 1.5 in the storm snow at treeline and alpine elevations. On Friday, most slabs triggered were approximately 25cm thick, running on a density change within the recent storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 40-60 cm new snow now sits on top of a rain crust (or multiple crusts) that formed during the recent wet weather. Strong (southerly) winds have blown snow around in exposed areas creating drifts and scoured areas. Snowpack depths are typically around 150 cm in sheltered treeline locations, although deeper (and shallower) spots certainly exist on account of the strong winds.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are building over a crust layer. This layer may slide easily, particularly on steep convex terrain or where the wind has blown it into more cohesive slabs.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded featuresUse ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 2nd, 2017 2:00PM