Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 13th, 2019 4:35PM

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

jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Snow amounts are expected to stay light on Thursday. Watch out for wind slabs on unusual aspects in exposed areas.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Flurries with 1 or 2 cm of snow expected.THURSDAY: Light snow, 2-4 cm. Light to moderate southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 1000 m.FRIDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level rising to around 1500 m. Light southwesterly winds.SATURDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level around 1800 m. Light southerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

Small loose wet avalanches were reported on Tuesday on south-facing slopes. There was also a size 1.5 remote-triggered avalanche reported at 1400 m.During the previous storm, there was an avalanche cycle to size 2.5. Operators noted some avalanches showed wide propagations.

Snowpack Summary

Another 15-20 cm new snow added to previous amounts to give storm totals in the range of 30-50 cm. Towards the end of the storm, winds shifted to the north, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs on south-facing slopes. Beneath the recent snow you may find hard wind-affected snow at higher elevations, soft faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and crusts on steep southerly slopes. The middle and lower snowpack is well-settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds shifted to the north at the end of the last storm, building wind slabs on south-facing slopes. These slopes are also likely to be impacted by the sun, making them the most likely to produce avalanches.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 14th, 2019 2:00PM