Avalanche Forecast
Sea To Sky
Posted danger ratings are for Thursday morning. The avalanche danger is forecast to increase throughout the day and could become High by the afternoon.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change throughout the day
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported. Looking forward, snow and wind forecast for the next few days will likely promote a new round of storm slab activity.
Snowpack Summary
By Thursday morning, up to 15cm of new snow is expected to have fallen. Strong southwest winds are forecast to shift these accumulations into much deeper deposits in high elevation lee terrain.
The new snow covers a medley of surfaces which include stubborn wind slabs and wind-scoured exposed crust in the alpine, and soft unconsolidated snow in sheltered areas at treeline and below.
Up to 40cm below the surface you'll likely find a widespread melt-freeze crust that was buried on December 15th. This layer hasn't produced much in the way of avalanche activity, but could come to life with the additional load of new snowfall, especially in areas where loose facets exist above the crust.
Beneath the December 15th layer, the lower snowpack is generally strong and well settled.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday night: 10-15cm of new snow / Strong southwest winds / Alpine temperature of -5
Thursday: 20-30cm of new snow / Strong southwest winds / Alpine temperature of -5
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud in the morning with 5-10cm of snow falling later in the day / Light and variable winds / Alpine temperature of -6
Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light and variable winds / Alpine temperature of -10
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
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Steady snowfall and strong winds are forecast to create reactive new storm slabs throughout the day on Thursday. Watch for increased reactivity in higher elevation lee terrain. As new snow depths increase, so will the avalanche danger.