Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2019 4:17PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

swerner, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Wind slabs at upper elevations is the primary concern. Shooting cracks and whumphing are signs of unstable snow and wind slabs.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -7 and ridgetop winds light from the northeast. Freezing levels near 1000 m.SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -11 and ridgetop winds light to moderate from the northeast. SUNDAY: Sunny with some clouds. Alpine temperatures near -13 and ridgetop winds moderate from the northeast.

Avalanche Summary

Reactive wind slabs continue to be the name of the game in the Sea to Sky corridor. On Wednesday, explosive control produced one size 1.5 wind slab from a steep West aspect and a few human triggered wind slabs up to size 1.5 were also reactive on southerly aspects. Check out this recent MIN report from GIN Peak. Even small terrain features at treeline have wind slab problems. Heads up!

Snowpack Summary

Recent switching wind has formed pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain on most aspects but currently more reactive to human triggers on southerly aspects. New surface hoar formation can be found on most aspects in sheltered locations from the wind, while the steeper southerly aspects likely have a thin crust from solar input. New low-density snow may sluff easily from steeper terrain features. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Northeast winds have formed fresh and reactive wind slabs in exposed south facing terrain, while pockets of older wind slabs can be found on all aspects. Loose dry sluffing within the recent snow may be seen on steeper terrain features and slopes.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2019 2:00PM