Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - The snowpack structure is mostly striaghtforward and not unusually variable. Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Overnight Thursday: Clear with a light wind. Alpine temperatures near -2 and freezing levels valley bottom. 

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind light to moderate from the southwest. Alpine temperatures near -1 and freezing levels 1700 m.

Saturday: Precipitation 10-20 mm falling as snow in the alpine and rain below. Ridgetop wind moderate from the northeast. Alpine temperatures near -2 and freezing levels 1600 m.

Sunday: Snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop wind strong from the northeast. Alpine temperatures near -2 and freezing levels 1600 m. 

No new avalanche reports in this region since last weekend. In the neighboring South Coast Inland, a large wet slab was reported up to size 3 and ongoing wet loose avalanches have occurred up to size 2. 

Last weekend, multiple large to very large wet slab avalanches were observed near Whistler, size 2-4. Many of these involved the full depth of the snowpack, running to the valley bottom.

 

As the weather pattern changes and the temperatures drop a decline in natural avalanche activity is likely. However, solar slopes and weak cornices remain suspect when the sun is shining. It can really pack a punch this time of year, even for short periods of time. 

A solid melt-freeze crust exists to the mountain top on solar slopes and up to 2000 m on polar slopes. Above 2000 m on North facing terrain, you may find dry snow and a generally well-settled snowpack. Below treeline elevations, the snowpack has been isothermal but will likely form a crust as freezing levels drop. 

Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. They are weak and very unpredictable. 

• Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.