Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2019 4:52PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

A natural avalanche cycle is forecast for Friday. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Snow; 15-20 cm. / Strong, southwesterly winds / Low -2/ Freezing level 1000 m.FRIDAY: Snow, 20-30 cm. / Moderate to strong, southwesterly winds / High -2 C / Freezing level 1000 m. SATURDAY: Cloudy / Light, southwesterly winds / High -3 C / Freezing level 600 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy / Light, southerly winds / High-12 C / Freezing level surface.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported in the region on Wednesday. However, we expect widespread storm slab avalanches to occur on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

A significant amount of new snow is forecast to cover a variety of snow surfaces. These include crusts on all but northerly aspects, wind-pressed surfaces on northerly aspects in the alpine, and a mixture of surface hoar (weak feathery crystals) and surface facets (sugary grains) in terrain sheltered from wind/sun at treeline and below.There have been no recent avalanches reported on the weak layers deeper in the upper snowpack.The remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh storm slabs will be primed for human triggers. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended on Friday.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2019 2:00PM