Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 17th, 2014 8:30AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Avalanche danger trending up over the next few days due to another warm storm moving in from the Southwest.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with light snowfall overnight and Thursday morning combined with light Southwest winds and freezing levels at valley bottoms. Southwest winds increasing Thursday night as a pulse of moisture arrives on the South coast. Expect 5-10 cm of new snow by Friday morning. Unsettled with moderate Southerly winds during the day on Friday, expect 3-5 cm of new snow. Southwest winds developing overnight as a strong system approaches the coast, expect 15-20 cm of new snow by Saturday afternoon. Freezing levels are expected to climb up to near 2000 metres elevation.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Current surfaces include a mix of stubborn wind slabs and settled storm snow in the alpine, and a hard rain crust at lower elevations. Surface hoar growth has been reported in sheltered areas. There is still concern for a buried crust/facet layer which formed in November. This woke up with the recent storm snow loading and has the potential for deep slabs and wide propagations. The likelihood of triggering this beast has dropped; however, if an avalanche released at this interface it would be highly destructive.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Although deeply buried persistent slabs have become more difficult to trigger, avalanches that release on deeply buried crystals would likely be large and destructive in nature. Use extra caution on steep, unsupported alpine terrain.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Dec 18th, 2014 2:00PM