Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 6th, 2015 9:12AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Looks like the conditions will be downright atrocious through the weekend. With the ongoing deluge it's probably best to continue to avoid avalanche terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

It ain't over yet. Freezing levels are expected to remain around 1800m for the next few days while the precipitation continues. We're expecting another 15 - 25mm of water Friday night accompanied by extreme SW winds. As for the duration of the period; 5 - 10mm on Saturday, 15 - 20mm Saturday Night, and 5 - 10mm Sunday. It doesn't look like it will be dry until Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday we received reports of avalanches running to size 3 both naturally and with explosive control work on all aspects. There were also reports of cornice fall triggering large avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

The wet warm storm has produced 30 to as much as 100cm of snow above 2200m. The snow is wet below 2000m and saturated below treeline. Moderate to strong winds out of the SW through SE have likely formed deep slabs at upper elevations. All the new snow rests on the early February rain crust, and most of the avalanche activity has been on said crust. I have not heard of anything running below the crust at this point.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs remain touchy and are likely trending towards wet slabs, or at least moist slabs at all elevations. Recent activity has had good propagation and I don't expect that to change through the weekend.

Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches running on the thick crust may run further than you think.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Loose Wet

As the warm wet storm continues to saturate the snowpack loose wet avalanches become more likely. While slow moving, these things pack a punch, especially in confined features like gulleys.

Be very cautious with gully features.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 7th, 2015 2:00PM