Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Spearhead, Tantalus.
Wind slabs may still be rider-triggerable in the alpine.
Watch for moist surface snow in sheltered, sunny spots.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few small, wet loose avalanches were reported on south-facing slopes on Sunday.
On Friday and Saturday, numerous natural as well as skier- and explosive-triggered wind slabs were reported size 1-2. Most were in reverse-loaded lees of ridgetop on west to southwest aspects at alpine and treeline elevations.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 15 cm of recent snow sits over faceted old layers. The new snow has seen moderate wind effect at upper elevations. A crust has likely formed on the surface at low elevations and on steep slopes that saw the sun.
An otherwise right-side-up upper snowpack appears to be bonding well to a crust buried 70 to 100 cm deep. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and bonded with no deeper concerns.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mostly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Wednesday
5 cm of snow overnight then clearing. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 overnight, rising to 2500 m in the afternoon.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud, increasing. 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
This problem may occur in steep, sheltered slopes that face the sun.
Aspects: East, South East, South.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Wind Slabs
Pockets of wind slab may linger at elevations where snow remains dry.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5