Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2017 4:06PM

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

istorm, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Touchy wind slabs will develop with forecast strong winds and snow. Watch for wind slabs Wednesday and more widespread storm slabs on Thursday.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Snow starting overnight Tuesday means 10 - 15 cm by Wed evening. Moderate to strong SW wind. Freezing level around 700 m with treeline temperatures well below freezing.THURSDAY: Continued snow with another 15 - 20 cm. Strong SW winds. Continued gradual warming with freezing level around 1100m and temperatures approaching a few degrees below freezing near treeline.FRIDAY: Periods of snow with another 5 - 10 cm. Moderate SW winds. Temperatures starting to cool with freezing level lowering to around 900m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported Monday. This will likely change as wind driven snow starts to accumulate Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Previous winds have either deposited snow in lee areas, with a few stubborn wind slabs, or scoured down to a mid-February crust. Cold temperatures have faceted the top 20 cm of the snowpack where it wasn't wind hammered. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and strong. The forecast shift in the weather means new wind slabs and storm slabs will be forming.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Touchy windslabs will form behind ridges, ribs, similar terrain features. Even open areas near treeline are likely to be wind affected.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2017 2:00PM