Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Brandywine, Duffey, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Spearhead, Stein, Tantalus, Taseko.
Up to 20 cm of new snow in the alpine and strong southerly wind formed wind slabs on lee features that may remain reactive to human triggers.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, numerous skier triggered size 1 wind slabs were reported on northerly aspects in the alpine near Whistler.
Additionally, several skier triggered cornice failures up to size 1.5 were reported.
Numerous natural wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported at treeline and below.
Snowpack Summary
In the alpine, up to 20 cm of new snow and strong southerly wind may have formed wind slabs at upper elevations.
At treeline, mixed precipitation has resulted in mostly wet and crusty surfaces.
Lower elevations are generally isothermal and melting out quickly.
The snowpack is generally strong and bonded, although dormant weak layers may still exist in shallow inland areas like the Duffey and Chilcotin.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1900 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 steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Up to 20 cm of new snow in the alpine and strong southerly wind formed wind slabs on lee features that may remain reactive to human triggers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Cornices can be large and fragile this time of year. Keep a safe distance when traveling on or below ridges.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5