Just a reminder to be safe this sunny and DEEP weekend.
Sea-to-Sky
Saturday Sunday Monday
Alpine 3 Considerable 3 Considerable 3 Considerable
At Treeline 3 Considerable 3 Considerable 2 Moderate
Below Treeline 2 Moderate 2 Moderate 2 Moderate
Duffy Lake & Inland Areas
Saturday Sunday Monday
Alpine 3 Considerable 3 Considerable 3 Considerable
At Treeline 3 Considerable 3 Considerable 2 Moderate
Below Treeline 3 Considerable 2 Moderate 2 Moderate
Moderate to strong south-westerly winds have created new wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain at and above treeline.
Moist new snow has rapidly formed a soft slab that is not bonding well to the previous snow surface and is highly susceptible to human triggering.
Several deeper persistent weak layers exist in parts of the region. In inland areas there are several buried surface hoar layers in the top 150cm that remain reactive in snowpack tests. Around Whistler the November rain crust (down 2-3+m) is a concern for step-down avalanches.
Special Message
A Special Public Avalanche Warning has been issued for the South Coast region for the period of January 7-10. Recent snowfall (close to 1m in some areas) is not bonding well to a weak snow surface that was created during the latest clear spell. Sunshine and fresh snow this weekend will be very inviting, however we are warning backcountry users to use extra caution until the new snow has time to settle and gain strength. Please click here for more information on this avalanche warning.
Confidence: Good
Weather Forecast
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with a chance of flurries in the morning. The freezing level should be at valley bottom. Winds are light to moderate from the SW shifting to NW. Sunday: Mainly sunny and cold. The freezing level will be near sea level with an alpine temperature of -14. Winds should be generally light from the NE-E. Monday: Much the same as Sunday but temperatures may be even cooler. Alpine temps of -15 to -18 are possible.
Avalanche Activity
Numerous natural and skier triggered slab avalanches were reported throughout the region on Thursday. Most of these avalanches were size 1-2 and released within the recent storm snow, or on the latest buried surface hoar layer. Natural avalanche activity should taper off this weekend but the potential for human triggered avalanches remains quite high.
Travel Advisory
Areas to Avoid:
Avoid exposing yourself to large overhead avalanche slopes. Large avalanches involving deep persistent weak layers remain a concern.
Exposed slopes near ridge top (particularly NW-E facing) where deep and weak wind slabs may be easily triggered. Avoid traveling on steep slopes above cliffs or other terrain traps.
It’s not a good weekend for highmarking. Give the new snow a chance to settle before challenging steeper, committing terrain.
Techniques to Manage Risk:
Carefully observe signs of unstable snow like current or recent avalanches and whumpfing or shooting cracks under your feet. If these signs are present back off to SIMPLE terrain.
Enter your line further down the ridge or follow rib features to avoid areas of wind slab.
Select safe zones and escape routes before committing to a line. Choose these areas conservatively as it may be possible for avalanches to run long distances in surprisingly low-angle terrain.
Snowpack
Sea to Sky: 50-100cm of moist new snow has fallen during the last storm. Moderate to strong SW winds have created wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain at treeline and in the alpine. The new snow is sitting on a variety of weak layers including well preserved surface hoar on sheltered and shady slopes, a sun crust on solar aspects, and sugary faceted snow. Snowpack tests are producing easy “pops” shears on the surface hoar layer mentioned above. The November rain crust, down 2-3+m, remains a concern for heavy triggers in shallow or variable snowpack areas in parts of the region.
Duffy Lake and Inland Areas: 30-60cm of new snow sits on a weak layer of surface hoar, a sun crust, or faceted snow, depending on aspect. Several additional buried surface hoar layers exist in the top 150cm creating potential for step-down avalanches – meaning a relatively small avalanche could trigger the deeper layers and create a much larger slide.
Copied from avalanche.ca
Sea-to-Sky
Saturday Sunday Monday
Alpine 3 Considerable 3 Considerable 3 Considerable
At Treeline 3 Considerable 3 Considerable 2 Moderate
Below Treeline 2 Moderate 2 Moderate 2 Moderate
Duffy Lake & Inland Areas
Saturday Sunday Monday
Alpine 3 Considerable 3 Considerable 3 Considerable
At Treeline 3 Considerable 3 Considerable 2 Moderate
Below Treeline 3 Considerable 2 Moderate 2 Moderate
Moderate to strong south-westerly winds have created new wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain at and above treeline.
Moist new snow has rapidly formed a soft slab that is not bonding well to the previous snow surface and is highly susceptible to human triggering.
Several deeper persistent weak layers exist in parts of the region. In inland areas there are several buried surface hoar layers in the top 150cm that remain reactive in snowpack tests. Around Whistler the November rain crust (down 2-3+m) is a concern for step-down avalanches.
Special Message
A Special Public Avalanche Warning has been issued for the South Coast region for the period of January 7-10. Recent snowfall (close to 1m in some areas) is not bonding well to a weak snow surface that was created during the latest clear spell. Sunshine and fresh snow this weekend will be very inviting, however we are warning backcountry users to use extra caution until the new snow has time to settle and gain strength. Please click here for more information on this avalanche warning.
Confidence: Good
Weather Forecast
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with a chance of flurries in the morning. The freezing level should be at valley bottom. Winds are light to moderate from the SW shifting to NW. Sunday: Mainly sunny and cold. The freezing level will be near sea level with an alpine temperature of -14. Winds should be generally light from the NE-E. Monday: Much the same as Sunday but temperatures may be even cooler. Alpine temps of -15 to -18 are possible.
Avalanche Activity
Numerous natural and skier triggered slab avalanches were reported throughout the region on Thursday. Most of these avalanches were size 1-2 and released within the recent storm snow, or on the latest buried surface hoar layer. Natural avalanche activity should taper off this weekend but the potential for human triggered avalanches remains quite high.
Travel Advisory
Areas to Avoid:
Avoid exposing yourself to large overhead avalanche slopes. Large avalanches involving deep persistent weak layers remain a concern.
Exposed slopes near ridge top (particularly NW-E facing) where deep and weak wind slabs may be easily triggered. Avoid traveling on steep slopes above cliffs or other terrain traps.
It’s not a good weekend for highmarking. Give the new snow a chance to settle before challenging steeper, committing terrain.
Techniques to Manage Risk:
Carefully observe signs of unstable snow like current or recent avalanches and whumpfing or shooting cracks under your feet. If these signs are present back off to SIMPLE terrain.
Enter your line further down the ridge or follow rib features to avoid areas of wind slab.
Select safe zones and escape routes before committing to a line. Choose these areas conservatively as it may be possible for avalanches to run long distances in surprisingly low-angle terrain.
Snowpack
Sea to Sky: 50-100cm of moist new snow has fallen during the last storm. Moderate to strong SW winds have created wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain at treeline and in the alpine. The new snow is sitting on a variety of weak layers including well preserved surface hoar on sheltered and shady slopes, a sun crust on solar aspects, and sugary faceted snow. Snowpack tests are producing easy “pops” shears on the surface hoar layer mentioned above. The November rain crust, down 2-3+m, remains a concern for heavy triggers in shallow or variable snowpack areas in parts of the region.
Duffy Lake and Inland Areas: 30-60cm of new snow sits on a weak layer of surface hoar, a sun crust, or faceted snow, depending on aspect. Several additional buried surface hoar layers exist in the top 150cm creating potential for step-down avalanches – meaning a relatively small avalanche could trigger the deeper layers and create a much larger slide.
Copied from avalanche.ca
