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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 2nd, 2019–Dec 3rd, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky.

Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist in areas with more the 30 cm of new snow.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: 10-20 cm of snow above 1000 m, 50-80 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine temperatures around -5 C.

TUESDAY: Light precipitation throughout the day with another 10 cm of snow above 1200 m, 50-70 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -2 C.

WEDNESDAY: 20-40 cm of new snow above 1000 m, 50 km/h wind from the southwest in the morning then decreasing in the afternoon, alpine high temperatures around -2 C.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 30 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -4 C.

Avalanche Summary

Minimal avalanche activity has been reported over the past week as the snowpack is generally thin and the weather has been benign. That is about to change as significant amounts of new snow and wind are expected to form fresh slabs this week. The greatest concern will be in wind affected terrain and where the snow falls onto smooth surfaces (such as areas where there is enough snow to cover rocks and trees).

Snowpack Summary

A stormy week will bring much needed snow to the Sea to Sky region. 20-40 cm of new snow is possible by Tuesday afternoon with much more expected on Tuesday night. The new snow will cover firm wind pressed snow and hard crusts. Typical snowpack depths in the alpine currently range between 50 and 150 cm, depending on the amount of wind affect. Snowpack depths taper quickly with elevation with little to no snow below 1800 m.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.