Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Sea To Sky, Sky Pilot, Spearhead, Stave, Tantalus.
Be aware of conditions that change with elevation. Reactive wind slabs exist in wind exposed terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
At the time of writing reports are just starting to come in. A widespread natural wind slab cycle to size 2 has likely taken place Thursday night/Friday morning. These avalanches were likely on all aspects at treeline and above.
Snowpack Summary
Ongoing southerly winds have formed wind slab on northerly terrain, However a period of strong northerly wind Thursday night may have formed wind slab on some south facing slopes. In sheltered terrain up to 40cm of new storm snow can be found.
In Sheltered terrain at treeline, a new layer of surface hoar is now down 20 to 40cm. A thick crust formed in late December is down 40 to 70cm. at lower elevations this crust is up to 15cm thick, in the alpine it is thin and breakable.
Near the base of the snowpack, a weak facet/crust layer from mid November can be found and is still a concern. In general the snowpack is weak, faceted and shallow.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with around 5cm of new snow expected. Strong southerly winds. Freezing level around 1300m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 to 10cm of new snow expected. Southeast winds easing to light in the afternoon. Freezing levels rising to 1500m.
Sunday
Cloudy with 5 to 10cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southerly winds and freezing levels around 1500m.
Monday
Cloudy with flurries bringing 5 to 10cm of new snow. Moderate to strong southerly winds and a high of -4 at 1500m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong variable winds mean that wind slab will be found on all aspects at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
A crust with weak, faceted snow above and below exists near the base of the snowpack. Human-triggering this layer is unlikely, but large loads such as cornice fall or a smaller avalanche stepping down to this layer are possible. Avoid thin, rocky, wind-affected areas where triggering this layer is most likely.
This layer is likely to be a concern for an extended period in this region.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5