Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Sky Pilot, Spearhead, Tantalus.
Very large avalanches continue to be reported.
Avoid avalanche terrain and exposure to overhead hazard until cooler weather arrives.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Natural activity continued on Saturday, with the prolonged heat triggering avalanches up to size 3 again. Activity included persistent slabs, loose wet and wet slabs. Avalanches were most notable on thin and rocky, or sun affected slopes.
Continued persistent slab activity is expected, as well as widespread loose wet avalanches and cornice failures as warming persists.
Snowpack Summary
Around 30 cm of the upper snowpack is wet from warm temperatures and strong sunshine on south facing features at all elevations. Dry surface snow can still be found on north facing slopes in the alpine. Over 100 cm of snow from the past week is rapidly settling with these warm temperatures. This snow is producing wet loose and slab avalanches.
A weak layer of facets and crust is buried 150 to 250 cm deep. Large naturally triggered avalanches have been observed on this layer within the last 2 days.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Clear skies. 10-20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level remains around 3000 m.
Monday
Sunny. 10-20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +8 °C with freezing level sustained at 3300 m.
Tuesday
Sunny. 30-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +6 °C with freezing level dropping to 2300 m in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Cloudy with light snowfall. 30-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C with freezing level dropping to 1200 m in the afternoon.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
- Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Very large persistent slabs have been triggered by this warm up, often running full path with wide propagation. Natural activity may begin to slow, however if triggered, avalanches are expected to be large and destructive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Loose Wet
Continued wet loose/slab activity is expected within the surface snow as warming continues and the snowpack has little chance to refreeze overnight. Greatest concern is for sun affected slopes especially near rock outcrops.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5