Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Mar 26 – 27, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

The hazard may go higher than forecast if the region receives more snow than expected. Temperatures, elevation and aspect are critical factors in trip planning these days.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–5
    Natural cornice failures are happening now. With warming temperatures, cornices will become weak and may fail. You definitely don't want to be under or on top of one of them when it fails !

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    The storm slab is reported to be touchy right now from1600 to 2700 m range and mostly on north and east aspects.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    As temperatures rise, loose-wet avalanches will become more of a problem. On many aspects, the new snow is resting on sun and temperature crusts from previous warm days. Pay close attention to rising temperatures and aspect.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

A cold front will move onto the coast late in the afternoon today bringing cooler conditions with moderate precipitation. Freezing levels will lower overnight to around 1000 m.  SUNDAY: Freezing level will hover around 1000 m, 10 to 15 cm of snow in the forecast, light southwest winds. MONDAY: Sunny skies with some cloudy periods, no precipitation in the forecast. Freezing level is forecast to rise to 1700 m, with moderate winds from the south. TUESDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks, temperatures will go up as we come under the influence of a strong high pressure ridge, freezing level forecast to rise to 2500 m. No precipitation in the forecast. CloudFor more detailed mountain weather information visit: https://avalanche.ca/weather

Avalanche Summary

Numerous reports of avalanche activity on Friday in the new storm snow and in some wind deposited locations.  Many skier accidental (Sa) and skier controlled (Sc) on north and east aspects above 1600 m.  Also of note are several natural cornice  (Nc) releases in the alpine on north aspects producing size 2.5 avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Last weeks blast of snow left up to 40cm in some parts of the Sea to Sky region. Winds associated with the storm produced wind and storm slabs at treeline and above. Below the new snow, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. South slopes will become moist/wet quickly with the strong spring sun. Cornices are reported to be huge and fragile.

Regions covered