Avalanche Forecast

Fair

Synopsis: A building upper ridge of high pressure will result in drier conditions and more sunshine for the next several days. Temperatures will also increase dramatically by Tuesday. Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level jumps as high as 2500 m with treeline temps around +3. Winds are light and variable. Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level jumps remains near 2500 m with treeline temps ranging from +5. Winds are light and variable.Thursday: Cloudy with sunny breaks and a chance of light precipitation. The freezing level is near 2000 m.

There was a report of a size 2 remotely triggered slab avalanche in the Whistler backcountry on Saturday. The slab depth was reported to be approximately 1.5 m deep, likely failing on a facet/crust combo. There was also a report of a size 2 accidentally skier triggered avalanche in the Blackcomb backcountry on Friday. Check out Wayne Flann's Avalanche Blog for photos of both of these incidents. Expect loose dry avalanches in steep terrain and the potential for triggering thin wind slabs in exposed lee terrain, especially on steep and unsupported slopes.

Up to 50 cm of cold low density snow has fallen in the past few days, with light winds forming fresh thin wind slabs near ridge crests. The prominent mid-February weakness, which is primarily a facet/crust combo (with surface hoar in some areas), is now 80-160 cm deep depending on wind exposure. Recent snowpack tests give variable results on this layer, but some observers are still reporting sudden "pops or drops" shears and continue to experience whumpfs. Previous strong winds created wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain, which are now hidden by the dry new snow. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region; however, skier triggering has become unlikely.