Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2014 3:00PM

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

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

For those of you planing glacier travel over the weekend, be aware that crevasses are poorly bridged. Check out the recent MCR post from Decker Mtn.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Friday and Saturday: Mostly sunny with the possibility of valley fog in the morning. Light winds. Freezing level reaching 3500 m with alpine temperatures close to +10 C, but cooler in valley bottoms. Sunday: Mostly sunny with the possibility of valley fog in the morning. Light winds. Freezing level reaching 3000 m with alpine temperatures close to +5 C, but cooler in valley bottoms.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday. Loose wet avalanches are likely, especially on sun-exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow is likely undergoing a melt-freeze cycle on all but high elevation shady aspects, while the entire snowpack may even be trending isothermal at lower elevations. The record low snowpack is generally well settled and strong; however, facets with an associated laminated crust still lurk near the base. Recent snowpack tests on a SSW facing treeline slope gave hard but sudden results on a crust laminated with facets down 118cm. Below that, facets and depth hoar were found down to the ground.

Problems

Loose Wet

Generally small, slow, and often limited to extreme cliffy terrain; however, these dense avalanches can easily knock you off your feet and take you for a ride.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Particularly a concern on shallow rocky southern aspects with heavy triggers. Warm temperatures and sun-exposure is expected to increase the likelihood of triggering these facets deep in the snowpack. Cornice falls could also act as natural triggers.

Avoid exposure to sun exposed slopes.>Use caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Use caution on rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

4 - 7

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2014 2:00PM