Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Sea To Sky.
Confidence
Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Synopsis: A weakening upper trough stalled off the southern BC coast should continue to deliver light snowfall Saturday night and scattered very light snowfall on Sunday. Look for gradual clearing on Monday.Saturday Night: Precipitation: 1 - 6mm | 2 - 10cm; Wind: Treeline: Light, SW | Ridgetop: Moderate, SWSunday: Freezing Level: 1100m - 1200m; Precipitation: 0 - 2mm | Trace; Wind: Treeline: Light, SW | Ridgetop: Light, SWMonday: Freezing Level: 1300 - 1600m; Precipitation: Nil; Wind: Treeline: Light, SW | Ridgetop: Light, WTuesday: Freezing Level: 1200 - 1700m Precipitation: Nil; Wind: Treeline: Light, Variable | Ridgetop: Light, NW
Avalanche Summary
On Friday small pockets of wind slab were sensitive to human triggering. I suspect activity ramped up Friday night into Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
New snow accompanied by strong southerly winds has likely formed fresh sensitive wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, and storm slabs that extend down into the treeline vegetation band. This snow adds additional load to the mid March surface hoar / crust interface, now down 80 - 110cm. The bond at this interface is improving, but it may still be sensitive to human triggering. The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are largely dormant at this time.The lower snowpack is strong and well settled.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 4
Deep Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 3 - 6