Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Sea To Sky, Sky Pilot, Tantalus.
Spring is a dynamic time of year. Conditions can vary widely and change rapidly.
Verify conditions in your local area and tune in to changes with aspect, elevation and time of day.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, a few natural cornice-triggered storm and wind slabs (size 2) were reported from north-facing alpine terrain.
Looking forward to Friday, riders should take a conservative approach, the recent storm snow will need time to settle and stabilize. Pay attention to changing conditions and be mindful of your overhead exposure- cornices have triggered large avalanches in recent days.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 40 cm of recent snowfall overlies up to 30 cm of more settled, wind-affected snow. This is sitting on a crust on all slopes except true north-facing terrain at upper elevations.
Many areas below treeline are either snow-free or have very thin snow coverage. Expect difficult travel at lower elevations.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow accumulation above the rain-snow line. 15 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Friday
Cloudy with afternoon clearings. Light variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature reaches a high of 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 1600 m.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 5 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature reaches a high of +5 °C. Freezing level rises to 2500 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 15 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
- Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
- Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by warming or cornice fall may be large and destructive.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
If the sun comes out, storm slabs may rapidly increase in reactivity, particularly on steep, sun-exposed slopes.
Expect deeper, more reactive slabs to exist in north and east facing lee terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Even brief periods of strong solar radiation could initiate wet loose avalanches on steep, sun-exposed slopes.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2