Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Sea To Sky.
Human triggered avalanches remain possible in wind loaded areas and in steep terrain where sluffing may occur. Small avalanches can have big consequences if they are triggered above features like cliffs or terrain traps.
Confidence
High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries / light to moderate southeast wind / alpine low temperature near -10Â
WEDNESDAY - Mainly cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm / light southeast wind / alpine high temperature near -7Â
THURSDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / light northeast wind / alpine high temperature near -6Â
FRIDAY - A mix of sun and cloud with a few flurries / moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -7Â
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday there were a few reports of natural and human-triggered size 1 dry loose avalanches, as well as a few size 1 explosives triggered wind slab avalanches in the alpine.
On Monday there were a few reports of size 1 human triggered dry loose avalanches on northeast aspects in the alpine.
On Sunday there were a few size 1 dry loose avalanches reported, as well as one size 2 explosives triggered cornice avalanche.
Snowpack Summary
10-25 cm of recent fresh snow sits on firm wind affected snow at upper elevations, on surface hoar in sheltered areas, on a melt-freeze crust below 1900 m, and on a sun crust on south-facing slopes. Recent winds have redistributed much of this new snow, creating wind slabs in leeward terrain, and stripping the new snow off of many windward slopes.
A crust from early December may be found around 200 cm deep in the snowpack. In shallow rocky areas, recent test results suggest that it may still be possible to trigger this layer. In deeper snowpack areas it has shown no recent results and appears to be unreactive in these areas.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Small wind slabs may be surprisingly reactive as they are likely sitting on weak layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5