Avalanche danger may spike on slopes that are getting warmed by sunshine or warm temperatures. Be alert for changing conditions throughout the day.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: No snow. Partly cloudy. Light S winds. Alpine temperature near -2. Wednesday: Light snow. Light S winds. Alpine temperature near -1. Thursday: Light snow. Light S winds. Alpine temperature near 0.
Avalanche Summary
There was a report of a skier triggered size 2 slab avalanche on Saturday from a rocky south-facing alpine slope, in an area just north of Whistler. A few natural cornice falls triggered thin slabs up to size 2 on the slope below. Solar warming also triggered a few small loose wet avalanches on steep sunny slopes. Skiers triggered small slabs on steep convex rolls on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs, which recently formed on a widespread basis, have become harder to trigger. On sun-baked and low elevation slopes, a melt-freeze cycle is in play at the snow surface, leaving a crust behind during overnight cooling, which breaks down by day. The upper snowpack structure is highly variable. On sunny aspects (and all aspects at low elevations), a melt-freeze crust is now buried about 30 cm deep, while on high elevation shady aspects, 50-100 cm snow overlies an older melt-freeze crust. Bonding at both of these crust interfaces appears to be improving. Large cornices are looming over some slopes. Mid and lower snowpack layers are well bonded.