Avalanche Forecast

Sea To Sky

Date issued

Dec 10, 2017 - 3:56 PM

Valid until

Dec 11, 2017 - 2:00 PM

Prepared by

mconlan

Shady slopes offer the best snow, but watch out for wind slabs that may have formed at higher elevations.

Regular season
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.

Monday - December 11, 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.

Tuesday - December 12, 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: Wind Slabs

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

Increased winds from the south may have produced wind slabs, particularly behind ridges in alpine terrain. Be cautious of firm snow when entering lee features.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid wind-loaded pockets near ridges.

Avalanche Problem 2: 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
  • Avoid sunny slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps, where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Avalanche Summary

A small natural wind slab avalanche was noted on Saturday in steep alpine terrain on a northerly aspect.  No new avalanches were observed on Thursday or Friday.  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 created surface crusts on south-facing slopes at higher elevations. The crusts may break down over the day with sunny conditions.  Moderate wind speeds from the south may have produced localized wind slabs on northerly lee features.  Surface hoar up to 10 mm and near-surface faceting have been noted in shady locations.  The snow from last week is settling and generally bonding well to the late-November rain crusts.  Cornices may be weakening with the continuing warm air temperatures.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY: Clear skies, light to moderate southwesterly winds, freezing level around 3700 m with inversion conditions.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy, light to moderate southwesterly winds, freezing level around 2300 m with inversion conditions.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly clear skies, light southwesterly winds, freezing level rising to 3400 m with inversion conditions.

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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