Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

Email

Assess for wind slab as you gain elevation. Southeasterly winds continue to form wind slabs on lee features in the alpine which may be reactive to human triggers.

Minimize time travelling on slopes below cornices.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several skier triggered size 1 wind slab avalanches were reported on northwesterly aspects in the alpine near Whistler on Tuesday.

Two cornice triggered size 2-2.5 wind slab avalanches were reported on a northwest aspect at 1800 m in the Brandywine zone on Monday. One of them hit the Chocolate Bowl access trail. Another size 2 cornice fall was reported in the region on Wednesday but it is unknown if it pulled a slab on the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

A new sun crust exists on the surface on solar aspects. 10-15 cm of recent snow and strong southeasterly wind continue to form wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above. These slabs are sitting on either hard surfaces or small facets. The above mentioned wind has also formed large cornices.

A couple crusts with facets sitting above them can be found at treeline and above down 60-180 cm.

The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light easterly winds and a low of -10°C at 1800 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light easterly winds shifting to light southwest winds in the afternoon. High of -4°C at 1800 m with freezing levels rising to 1200 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Moderate southerly winds and a high of -5°C at 1800 m.

Sunday

Stormy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southerly winds and a high of -4°C at 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Southeasterly winds continue to form wind slabs on lee features in the alpine which may be reactive to human triggers.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2023 4:00PM