Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 25th, 2012–Jan 26th, 2012

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Sea To Sky.

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.

Avalanche Problems

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

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

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