Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Apr 12 – 13, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Minimize your exposure to steep, south facing slopes.

Rising temperatures will increase the potential for wet avalanches. Hazard is expected to reach considerable on sun affected slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Storm slabs are expected to remain reactive to human triggers. Around ridgelines, deeper deposits can likely be found on north facing slopes.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Expect wet slab and wet loose avalanches on all steep, sun affected slopes as temperatures rise. Avalanches are expected to initiate easily on the crust below.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, reactivity to human triggers was reported near ridgelines within the new storm snow. Earlier in the weak cornice falls triggered slabs on the slopes below, on north facing alpine slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of settling storm snow sits over old snow surfaces, and a crust on sun affected slopes. On north facing slopes near ridgelines, deeper deposits of snow can be found - while south facing slopes may hold hard, wind pressed surfaces or a crust.

Below treeline elevations have minimal snow cover, if any at all. Expect challenging travel conditions with hazards like rocks, stumps and open creeks. Check out this MIN from Mt Price for a great summary of snow conditions.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10-20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rises to 2000 m overnight.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 10-20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature reaches a high of +5 °C. Freezing level rises to 2500 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 20-40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level drops back to 2000 m over the day.

Monday

Increasing cloud with 30-50 km/h westerly winds. Freezing level drops to 1000 m. Treeline temperatures of -3 °C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Regions covered