Avalanche Forecast

High

Explosive control work near Whistler on Saturday produced wind slab avalanches on primarily north aspects in the alpine up to size 2. Explosive triggered cornices were also reported to size 2.

A few recent, cornice-triggered persistent slab avalanches up to size 3.5 were reported out of extreme, north facing alpine terrain. See MINs. (Garibaldi; Blackcomb )

Conrice-triggered avalanches are most likely to occur during periods of rapid loading by wind and/or warming.

North wind may "reverse-load" alpine slopes and form fresh wind slabs.

Above 1900 m, 10 - 40 cm of recent snow sits on a supportive crust.

Below 1900 m, recent snow amounts taper quickly and the crust increases in thickness.

Below treeline, the snowpack is isothermal and travel is currently very challenging.

Sunday night

Mainly clear, east wind 20 km/h, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level valley bottom.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud, east wind 10 km/h, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level 1100m.

Tuesday

Sunny, west wind 20 km/h, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 3 - 5 cm snow, west wind 20 km/h, treeline temperature -7 C, freezing level valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.