Avalanche Forecast

Sea To Sky

Date issued

Dec 8, 2017 - 3:57 PM

Valid until

Dec 9, 2017 - 2:00 PM

Prepared by

mconlan

Warm alpine air is the continuing trend. Be cautious on steep slopes if the snow feels moist or wet.

Regular season
Friday - December 8, 2017
Alpine

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Saturday - December 9, 2017
Alpine

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Sunday - December 10, 2017
Alpine

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Warm air temperatures and clear skies have produced spring-like conditions on steep solar aspects. Loose wet avalanches may begin small but can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Loose wet avalanches may trigger deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps, where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Avoid sunny slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Thursday. Numerous small to large loose wet avalanches up to size 2 were observed on solar aspects on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Warm air temperatures and clear skies have caused melting of the surface snow on south-facing slopes at higher elevations. Crusts may form overnight and may re-melt during the day. Surface hoar up to 10 mm and near-surface faceting have been noted at and near treeline in shady locations. The recent snow from last week is settling and generally bonding well to the late-November rain crusts. Lingering wind slabs on all aspects may be found in the alpine but are trending towards being unreactive.  Cornices may be weakening with the warm air temperatures.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate southerly winds, freezing level around 2700 m with below-freezing temperatures in the valleys.

SATURDAY OVERNIGHT: Cloudy with light precipitation in the west of the region, accumulation 0 to 10 mm across the region, moderate to strong southwesterly winds, freezing level around 2700 m with below-freezing temperatures in the valleys.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, light to moderate southwesterly winds, freezing level around 3200 m.

MONDAY: Sunny, moderate southwesterly winds, freezing level around 3000 m.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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