Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Spearhead.
Warm temperatures are increasing the chance of avalanches. Monitor the conditions and back off slopes as the surface becomes wet.
Reactive wind slabs may exist in high elevation terrain.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, a small skier triggered (size 1) wind slab was reported. Over the weekend, explosive and skier controlled storm slabs were reported up to size 2. Small (less than size 1) wet loose avalanches were also seen from steep south facing terrain.
If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Surface hoar development exists in wind and sun sheltered, open terrain. At treeline and above, moist snow surfaces are seen on slopes facing the sun.
Above 1800 m, 20 to 40 cm of snow from last weekend sits above a thin crust. Below the crust there are no layers of concern in the well-settled snowpack.
Below 1800 m, there may be 10-20 cm of snow overtop a thicker crust capping a rain-soaked snowpack.
Snow depths at treeline are around 100 cm near Whistler, and 70 cm in the Duffy.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with clear periods. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m with a weak temperature inversion.
Wednesday
Cloudy with sunny periods. 15 to 25 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Friday
Snow 5 to 15 cm. 15 km/h south ridgetop winds gusting to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Slabs may be possible to trigger at high elevations where dry snow has been loaded into leeward terrain features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5