Watch for reactive wind slabs at higher elevations.
Large avalanches on buried weak layers remain possible—avoid shallow, rocky terrain and minimize exposure to cornices.
Deeper deposits of recent storm snow may remain reactive near ridgelines.
With recent variable winds watch for slabs on all aspects.
Weak layers remain a concern, especially in north-facing terrain & where snowpack depth is variable. They have recently produced large avalanches and may be triggered by cornices or humans in steep, shallow terrain at upper elevations.
On Sunday, cornice falls produced a size 1.5 in the Musical Bumps, and a size 2.5 slab on Tremor (photo below). Small rider-triggered wind slabs were also reported.
A widespread avalanche cycle occurred during the recent warm-up to size 4, with many stepping down to persistent weak layers. Natural avalanche activity has tapered off, but human-triggered avalanches on these layers remain possible.
10 to 20 cm of wind-affected dry snow exists at high elevations, sitting over a melt-freeze crust. Below this, the upper snowpack remains moist or wet.
Several persistent weak layers from January, February, and March can be found between 1 and 3 m deep in the Sea to Sky, and up to 2 m deep in the Duffy.
At lower elevations, the rain-saturated snowpack tapers quickly with elevation.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, up to 5 cm of snow possible for near Whistler, 2 cm near Pemberton. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop winds. Freezing level 1000 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud with possible flurries. 10 km/h variable ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Thursday
Clear skies. 30 to 40 km/h north ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Friday
Clear skies. 10 km/h variable ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
