Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2017 4:17PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

The weather forecast is calling for a more stable weather pattern in the coming days

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwest wind / Alpine temperature -5 / Freezing level 1300mMONDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -5 / Freezing level 1300mTUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1600m

Avalanche Summary

The most recent reports from Wednesday, Thursday and Friday include explosives triggered storm slabs running size 1.5 - 2, 30-40cm deep along with explosives controlled cornice releases that that were not releasing slabs on the slope below. On Sunday, expect newly formed wind slabs to be reactive to human triggering.

Snowpack Summary

30-50cm of new snow from the last week at upper elevations sits on widespread melt-freeze crusts that exist on all aspects and elevations except for high elevation north facing terrain. On all aspects below 2000 m and higher on sun exposed slopes, there may be multiple crust layers in the upper snowpack. Moderate to strong alpine wind from the south will have redistributed the new snow and formed additional wind slabs in the alpine and at tree line. Large overhanging cornices exist primarily on northerly aspects in the alpine.

Problems

Wind Slabs

The combination of new snow, moderate to strong southerly winds and warm temperatures have built new wind slabs in alpine and tree line lee terrain.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2017 2:00PM