Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries / southwest wind, 10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature -5 C / freezing level 1000 mTHURSDAY: Flurries, trace to 10 cm / south-southwest wind, 15-30 km/h / alpine high temperature -2 C / freezing level 1500 mFRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / southwest wind 10-20 km/h / alpine high temperature -2 C / freezing level 1600 mSATURDAY: Snow, 10-20 cm / south-southwest wind, 15-40 km/h / alpine high temperature -2 C / freezing level 1400 m

On Monday, natural storm slab avalanches to size 2 were observed on northerly aspects around 2200-2400 m in the Whistler Backcountry, initiating from steep, lee start zones. Four skier-triggered avalanches (size 1.5-2) in the Whistler Backcountry were reported on Monday, including this Decker Main MIN report here. These similar avalanches occurred in northerly alpine terrain and below a ridge feature.On Sunday, avalanche control work with explosives triggered mostly small storm slabs (size 1-1.5) and cornices in alpine and treeline; these avalanches failed on the storm snow - melt-freeze crust interface.On Saturday, small (size 1-1.5) storm slabs and wind slabs were reactive to skier traffic. Cornices were reactive to explosives and triggered large (size 2) slab avalanches as they fell on the slopes below.

Up to 15 cm wind and temperature affected snow overlies a crust on most aspects and a dry, settled snowpack on north-facing alpine terrain. In the alpine and upper treeline, wind loaded pockets up to 40 cm deep have developed around ridge crests and northerly terrain. Expect a snowpack that changes with elevation and through the day, between 1800 and 1200 m sun and warm temperatures through the day are producing a moist snowpack. Below, 1200 m the snow is melting rapidly. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.