Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Jan 12 – 13, 2018Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Natural avalanche activity can be expected if the sun makes an appearance on Saturday.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    New snow and wind on Friday is expected to form new storm slabs and increase the avalanche danger. Watch for increased reactivity in exposed lee terrain. If the sun makes an appearance on Saturday, loose wet avalanches can also be expected.

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Overcast with possible sunny breaks in the afternoon / Light and variable winds / Freezing level rising to 2300mSunday: Clear skies / Light and variable winds / Freezing level at 2900mMonday: 10-15mm of precipitation / Moderate southerly winds / Freezing level at 2300m

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday a size 1 storm slab was accidentally skier-triggered in high, north-facing terrain at the south end of the Squamish-Cheakamus divide. No other avalanches were reported. Looking forward, expect a new round of storm slab activity in response to new snow and strong winds on Friday night. If forecast warming and solar radiation arrives early, loose wet avalanches can also be expected.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Snowpack Summary

Strong southeast winds and snowfall on Friday are expected to form new storm slabs in exposed lee terrain. Below the new storm snow, you'll find about 25-50 cm of relatively low-density snow which overlies a thick crust that was buried on January 6. This crust exists up to about 2000m. Beneath the January 6 crust, the lower snowpack is generally strong and well settled.

Regions covered