Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Spearhead, Tantalus.
Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of high hazard.
Rain and high freezing levels can trigger avalanches on buried weak layers.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, numerous natural and explosive triggered wet slab avalanches were reported up to size 3.
On Monday, numerous large slab avalanches were seen up to size 2.5.
We expect avalanche activity to continue with both wet and large slab avalanches being easy to trigger during this warm period.
Snowpack Summary
We have received up to 30 mm of recent precipitation; snow above 1500 m and rain below this elevation. Expect deeper and more reactive deposits on north—and east-facing slopes. This overlies 40 cm of recent snow. Expect to find rain-soaked or moist snow below 1500 m.
This overlies 50 cm of settled snow and then a melt-freeze crust on southerly slopes and at lower elevations.
A weak layer formed in early March found down 150 to 230 cm, consists of a crust on all aspects except high north-facing slopes. In some areas, a layer of surface hoar is found just above the crust.
Weak layers formed in mid-February and late January are now buried 200 to 300 cm deep.
Below this, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 15 to 45 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with sunny periods and light rain 5 mm. 15 to 35 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 9 °C. Freezing level rises to 3000 m.
Thursday
Wet flurries 5 to 10 cm above 1500 m falling as rain below. 15 to 35 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 2 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with a mix of rain and snow 10 to 15 cm. 15 gusting to 60 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain with no overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers can become reactive when loaded due to rain or warming.
A weak layer from early March is now 150 to 230 cm deep with January and February layers buried 200 to 300 cm. These remain a concern, especially in northerly alpine terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Wet Slabs
Rain-on-snow and warm temperatures can rapidly destabilize the snowpack.
Wet slab avalanches are large and destructive. Wet loose are seen from steep terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Storm Slabs
Storm snow and moderate southwest winds has formed reactive slabs. Expect to find deeper deposits on north- and east-facing slopes at upper elevations, where the wind will load lee slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5