Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 16th, 2019 4:23PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Cold dry conditions continue for the next few days. Watch for wind slabs in unusual places as the wind shifts directions.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, light wind, alpine temperatures drop to -10 C.SUNDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods, light north wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light north wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.TUESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries and accumulations of 5 cm, moderate northwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose dry avalanches in steep terrain were reported on Saturday. On Friday, several small (size 1) wind slabs were triggered by skiers on upper treeline and alpine features (up to 30 cm thick).

Snowpack Summary

10-40 cm of recent snow remains low density in many areas, but has settled into thin soft slabs on some higher elevation features. Harder wind slabs can be found in exposed terrain near ridges. You may find a crust beneath this snow below 2000 m and on steep south-facing slopes. In exposed areas, the new soft snow sits above hard wind affected snow. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be reactive in alpine terrain, especially in the immediate lee of ridges.

Caution on steep south-facing slopes where buried crusts may exist.Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Be careful with wind loaded pockets.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 17th, 2019 2:00PM