Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2013 9:18AM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet and Cornices.

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Be alert to conditions that change with daytime warming. Danger ratings are likely to exceed posted levels if solar radiation is strong, especially at treeline and below.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Monday: Increased cloud /Â Light southwest winds / Freezing level at 2500mTuesday: Very light snowfall / Light southwest winds / Freezing level at 1800mWednesday: Overcast skies / Light southwest winds / Freezing level at 2100m

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet sluffs up to size 2.0 have been reported on south and west aspects. Isolated large cornice falls have also been reported; none of these recent cornice events have pulled slabs on the slopes below.

Snowpack Summary

Recent warm temperatures have created melt freeze conditions on all aspects below 2000m and to ridgecrest on south and west facing terrain. Isothermal conditions as deep as 100cm have been reported on south aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing slopes surfaces are well settled and surface hoar development continues in some areas. Cornices are huge!Mid and lower snowpack layers are well bonded.

Problems

Loose Wet

Direct sun and/or daytime warming may cause loose wet avalanches, particularly on steep south and west facing terrain. Wet slabs may also be possible at low elevations where the ground cover is smooth.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Watch for wet loose or slab activity with forecast warm temperatures.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Cornices are large and weak. Daytime warming and/or direct sunshine could cause cornices to fail, possibly triggering a slab on the slope below.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2013 2:00PM