Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 25th, 2012 9:37AM

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

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to variable snopack conditions

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Light snowfall in the morning with clearing expected by the afternoon. / winds moderate from the west / freezing level at surface Friday: mostly clear / light northwest winds / freezing level at surface Saturday: Mostly clear / light westerly winds / increasing cloud and rising freezing levels in the afternoon

Avalanche Summary

Explosive avalanche control have produced slab avalanches up to size 2.

Snowpack Summary

Mother nature has been pummeling the Sea to Sky region over the last few days. Over 100cms of snow that fell since last weekend has now settled to about 70cm. Recent southwest winds have consistently hovered in the strong to extreme category and wind drifts have been reported up to 3 metres high. The recent storm snow is resting on a variety of older snow surfaces. These surfaces include previous cold, dry low density snow which may have had seen some faceting, old wind slabs, and crusts. It is reasonable to think that any new avalanche activity may step down to any of these interfaces.Previous concerns about deeper persistent weak layers appear to have diminished. Snowpack depths at treeline are in the region of 260 cm.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Heavy snowfall amounts and strong winds will set up touchy new wind slabs. They may be found in unsuspecting places lower on the slope.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 6

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Heavy amounts of storm snow have fallen on existing cold, low density snow. This has set up an unstable situation in the upper snowpack. With recent heavy precipitation, strong wind, and rising freezing levels we can expect storm slab avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Strong winds and new snow have added mass to sensitive cornices. They may be destructive by themselves, and may also be a trigger for the slope below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 6

Valid until: Jan 26th, 2012 8:00AM