Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Brandywine, Duffey, Garibaldi, Harrison-Fraser, Homathko, Sea To Sky, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Spearhead, Stein, Taseko.
Rising temperatures are increasing the chance of avalanches. Monitor the conditions and back off slopes as the surface becomes wet.
Reactive wind slabs may exist in high elevation terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, explosive and skier controlled storm slabs were reported up to size 2.
If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
The surface snow will likely become wet due to warm alpine temperatures.
In the alpine, 20 to 40 cm of snow from the weekend sits above a thin crust. Below the crust there are no layers of concern in the well-settled snowpack.
Below 1800 m, there may be 10-20 cm of snow overtop a thicker crust capping a rain-soaked snowpack.
Snow depths at treeline are around 100 cm near Whistler, and 70 cm in the Duffy.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Clear periods. <15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom with a strong alpine temperature inversion.
Tuesday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated rain showers. <15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.
Thursday
New snow 5 to 10 cm. 15 to 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Slabs may be possible to trigger at high elevations where dry snow has been loaded into leeward terrain features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2