Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Brandywine, Duffey, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Spearhead, Stein, Tantalus, Taseko.
Up to 20 cm of recent snow in the alpine and strong southerly wind formed wind slabs on lee features that may remain reactive to human triggers.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, skiers remotely triggered a couple wind slabs up to size 2 on northerly aspects in the alpine near Bishop River Provincial Park.
Numerous explosive triggered wind slabs up to size 2 were also reported on primarily north and east aspects in the alpine near Whistler.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of recent snow in the alpine and strong southerly wind formed wind slabs at upper elevations.
The recent snow sits on top a crust, except for northerly aspects at upper elevations where the previous snow surface remained dry.
Recent snow amounts taper quickly with elevation.
The snowpack is generally well-settled and strong, although dormant weak layers may still exist in shallow inland areas like the Duffey and Chilcotin.
Lower elevations are melting out rapidly.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly clear. 5 to 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Tuesday
Sunny. 5 to 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Up to 20 cm of recent snow in the alpine and strong southerly wind formed wind slabs on lee features that may remain reactive to human triggers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5