Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Brandywine, Duffey, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Spearhead, Stein, Tantalus, Taseko.
High temperatures will weaken the snowpack, especially if there is no overnight refreeze.
Avoid overhead exposure to cornices, and steep south-facing slopes in the heat of the day.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural loose wet avalanches were reported from all aspects at treeline and above. They all occurred later in the afternoon during the peak of warming, some involving large debris (size 2).
Recent cornice failures were also reported, with some triggering wet avalanches on slopes below.
Expect an increase in avalanche activity with the upcoming warming on Friday.
Snowpack Summary
A typical spring diurnal cycle is underway.
High freezing levels have transformed the surface during the day into moist snow, while cooling at night has formed a crust.
Dry snow may persist only in the highest north-facing terrain.
The snowpack is generally well-settled and strong, although dormant weak layers may still exist in shallow inland areas like the Duffey and Chilcotin.
Sustained high freezing levels with poor overnight recovery have the potential to awaken dormant weak layers.
Lower elevations are melting out rapidly.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Clear. 15 to 25 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Friday
Sunny with increasing cloudiness. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 8 °C. Freezing level 3500 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level lowering to 1800 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with isolated flurries. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
- Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Triggering deep layers is more likely if the snow surface didn't freeze overnight.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Rising temperatures and strong sunshine will increase the potential for wet avalanches. Warming will be most intense on steep south-facing slopes, especially near rocks. There is a possibility to entrain deeper isothermal snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Cornices
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5