Avalanche Forecast

Sea To Sky

Date issued

Dec 13, 2017 - 3:17 PM

Valid until

Dec 14, 2017 - 2:00 PM

Prepared by

jmcbride

Cooler temperatures and snow are expected for the weekend.  Until then be aware of changing snow conditions during the day and from one aspect to another. There may be areas of wet snow particularly on steep, sunny slopes and near rocks.

Regular season
Wednesday - December 13, 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.

Thursday - December 14, 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.

Friday - December 15, 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 Summary

There have been no reports of avalanche activity since the weekend when a small, natural, wind slab avalanche was observed on a north-facing, alpine, ridge-top feature on Saturday.  Prior to that, several natural loose, wet and wet slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed on solar aspects at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures have created a spring-like, melt-freeze crust on all aspects which will likely to become moist in the afternoon on steep, sun-exposed slopes. On north aspects this surface crust is 1-2 cm thick, with dry, sugary snow crystals (facets) below. Beneath the surface, the upper snowpack is well settled and overlies a thin layer of facets on the late-November rain crust. Recent snowpack test have found hard, sudden compression test results on the facets just above the crust, which is now buried between 60-100 cm at treeline elevations. Beneath this crust the lower snowpack is well settled and consists of several crusts that formed in the early season.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature +5. Freezing level 3500 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5 cm. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature -1. Freezing level 800 m.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation up to 5 cm. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature -2. Freezing level 800 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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