Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 18th, 2013 9:26AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Mainly clear skies are expected for the forecast period. Winds should remain generally light from the southwest with daytime temperatures hovering around 4.0.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface consists of thin wind slabs and wind-pressed snow, a sun crust or moist snow, and dry faceted snow or large surface hoar depending on aspect, elevation, and time of day. 40-70cm below the surface is a persistent weakness of surface hoar, facetted snow, and/or a crust buried at the beginning of January. Most recent tests have shown moderate results at this interface with resistent planar fracture characteristics. Although not widespread, this layer seems to be found in portions of sheltered terrain at and below treeline, and may still be fairly well preserved.No significant weaknesses have been reported recently below this in the mid snowpack layers. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer exists, which is now unlikely to be triggered, except perhaps by heavy triggers in steep, shallow, rocky terrain where more facetting has taken place.

Problems

Loose Wet

Ongoing loose wet activity is possible with forecast warm temperatures. Watch for triggering in steep, sun-exposed terrain.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Warm temperatures and solar radiation may increase the probability of avalanches releasing on a buried weak layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or a crust, down 40-70 cm.

Conditions have improved, but be mindful that persistent instabilities are still present.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Wind Slabs

Small windslabs may exist in pockets of terrain in the lee of ridgetops.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 19th, 2013 2:00PM