Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Spearhead, Tantalus.
Keep an eye on the effects of warming and solar input throughout the day
Avalanche activity will likely increase when the snow surface feels moist
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few small avalanches were triggered on Tuesday and Wednesday with explosives and ski cutting. No other avalanches have been reported in the past 3 days.
However, last week a flurry of very large persistent slab avalanche activity was reported at alpine and treeline elevations. These avalanches are becoming less likely, but the consequences of triggering one remain high.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10 cm of new snow has fallen with moderate to strong southwest winds forming deeper deposits on north and east aspects. This snow sits over a widespread crust.
The snow surface will likely become moist during the day on all aspects and elevations except for high north facing slopes.
60 to 80 cm of well-settled snow sits over a weak layer of facets and surface hoar buried in mid-February. Recent snowpack tests indicate this layer may be starting to gain strength.
another weak layer, from late January, is buried 80 to 120 cm deep. This may present as a crust on sunny slopes, sugary facets in most places, and surface hoar in sheltered spots.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Clear sky. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Thursday
Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 15 to 30 mm of mixed precipitation. 50 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New wind slabs will likely remain reactive to rider traffic.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers were reactive last week. Although their likelihood is decreasing, the consequences of triggering an avalanche on these layers are high.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches will increase in likelihood throughout the day with rising freezing level and solar input. These avalanches are unlikely on high north facing terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5