Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Sky Pilot, Spearhead, Tantalus.
Keep an eye on the wind and new snow amounts. Storm slab reactivity will increase throughout the day. Be prepared to dial back your terrain selection.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No significant avalanches were reported on Thursday but observations are limited this time of year.
We expect that new rider triggerable slabs will form throughout the day.
If you are venturing into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
New snow accompanied by southerly winds will overlie a crust at treeline and below. In the alpine this new snow will fall on a variety of surfaces including dry snow and wind slab on the north and crust and wind pressed surfaces on the south.
Several crusts can be found in the upper snowpack. A well settled snowpack exists below.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected. Increasing southerly winds and a low of -6°C at 1800 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southerly winds and freezing level rising to 1400 m with the snowline around 1100 m.
Sunday
Stormy with up to 20 cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1500 m. Snowline around 1000 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow possible. Moderate southeast winds and a high of -4°C at 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow accompanied by southerly winds will refresh the wind slab problem. The most reactive slabs will likely be found on west through east aspects at treeline and above. Strong winds mean that wind slab may be found further down slope than expected.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
New snow accompanied by southerly winds will add to cornices increasing the likelihood of them failing naturally.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3