Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Spearhead, Tantalus.
Continue to choose conservative, low consequence terrain. Human-triggered avalanches remain likely at higher elevaitons.
Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, explosives control and storm slab avalanches up to size 2. Numerous human-triggered dry loose and storm slab avalanches were reported up to size 1.5.
Thanks for sharing your observations via the MIN if you are going out into the backcountry.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 30 cm of new snow brings recent storm snow totals up to 50 cm. Moderate to strong southwest winds have redistributed storm snow into deeper deposits on north and east aspects. This overlies wind-affected at upper elevations and moist, heavy snow or a melt-freeze crust on southerly slopes, especially at lower elevations.
A weak layer formed in early March found down 100 to 180 cm, consists of a crust on all aspects except high north-facing slopes. In some areas, a layer of surface hoar is found just above the crust.
Weak layers formed in mid-February and late January are now buried 150 to 250 cm deep.
Below this, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Overnight flurries bring 5 to 15 cm of snow.
Sunday
Cloudy with precipitation switching from snow to rain, 15 to 40 mm of mixed precipitation. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Precipitation continues overnight, 20 to 60 mm of mixed precipitation forms.
Monday
Cloudy with light flurries, 2 mm of rain. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
- Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow and wind have created fresh, reactive slabs at all elevations. Brief sun breaks could trigger a natural storm slab avalanche cycle, so back off if it gets sunny. Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer from early March is now 100 to 180 cm deep with January and February layers buried 150 to 250 cm. These weak layers remain a concern, especially in northerly alpine terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 4