Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Spearhead.
North to northeast winds may have created wind slabs in areas where you don't normally see them.
Polar slopes may offer the best and safest riding.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Monday.
This past weekend there were avalanches caused by natural cornice failure in our area. On Saturday, in the Helm Peak area, there were two size 3 avalanches caused by cornice failure that did trigger the slope below. These were in the alpine on northeast and northwest faces.
Also on Saturday, several natural loose dry avalanches, up to size 1, were reported at treeline and above. A skier accidental size 1.5 storm slab avalanche was reported on a steep, north aspect at 1500 m.
Snowpack Summary
North to northeast winds may have created wind slabs in the alpine and into treeline. This is atypical wind and can be considered reverse loading.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
At the bottom of the snowpack, a layer of weak facets remains present and continues to be monitored for signs of reactivity.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Clear, no accumulation, winds northeast 20 to 30 km/h, freezing levels down to 700 m.
Wednesday
Sunny with some clouds, no accumulation, winds northeast switching to southwest and light, freezing levels 1900 m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, winds southwest 15 km/h, freezing levels 1600 m.
Friday
Cloudy, 7 to 10 cm accumulation, winds southwest 25 km/h, freezing levels 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
North and northwest winds may have produced wind slabs at elevations reaching into the treeline.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Loose Wet
Small wet loose avalanches made occur on solar slopes later in the day.
Aspects: South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5