Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Dec 24 – 25, 2012Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Winds have shifted available snow into slabs behind ridges and ribs. These could be triggered by the weight of a person or snowmobile.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–4
    The volume of loose dry snow could knock you over or carry you into a terrain trap. Be cautious in any steep terrain.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Moderate to strong SE winds. Alpine temp -8. Light snow.Wednesday: Light SW winds. Alpine temp -8. A few cm snow.Thursday: Light SW winds. Alpine temp -7. No precipitation.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, several size 1-1.5 wind slabs were triggered by explosives and skiers. One size 2 slab was triggered in a steep high alpine start zone.

Snowpack Summary

Over a metre of snow has fallen this week with strong SE winds, which has created wind slabs in alpine and open treeline terrain. New cornices exist. In sheltered areas below treeline, very deep loose snow has built up. Three surface hoar layers in the upper/mid snowpack appear to be gaining strength. In general, the mid-pack is strong.Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer has become unlikely to be triggered. However, professionals are still mindful of thin snowpack trigger areas or large loads which could wake it up again, leading to a very large avalanche.

Regions covered