Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Apr 18 – 19, 2022Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 4 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable

Highlights

Touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers will form at all elevations Monday night. These slabs will be most reactive on lee features at treeline and above.

Expect the danger to be HIGH in localized areas that receive more than 25 cm of new snow Monday night.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. They create a significant falling hazard, and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below.  

    Cornice failures are more likely during hot and sunny weather.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers will form at all elevations Monday night. These slabs will be most reactive on lee features at treeline and above.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Expect a wet loose natural avalanche cycle to occur when the sun comes out.

    Stay well away from any large slopes that are in the sunshine.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system. Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Snow; 15-30 cm / Moderate southwest wind / Low of -7 / Freezing level 900 m.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwest wind / High of 0 / Freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday: Sunny, with increasing cloudiness in afternoon. / Moderate southeast wind / High of 3 / Freezing level 1700 m.

Thursday: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 3-10 cm / Light southwest wind / High of 2 / Freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

Human triggered avalanche activity is expected to increase on Tuesday with the 15-30 cm of new snow and moderate southwest winds forecast for Monday night.

Snowpack Summary

Forecast 15-30 cm of new snow Monday night could bring storm totals to 30-50 cm by Tuesday morning. The new snow and strong southwest winds are expected to form large storm slabs that will be reactive to human triggers at all elevations. Expect the storm slabs to be most reactive on lee features at treeline and above.

The recent snow is sitting on a variety of hard snow surfaces, including crusts and wind scoured snow. Below this, there are several crusts in the upper snowpack, but they are unlikely to be a concern in most areas until the next significant warming event.

Terrain and Travel

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Regions covered