Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Spearhead, Tantalus.
Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended on Saturday.
Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 30 cm of new snow.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, numerous natural size 1 loose wet avalanches were reported on steep solar terrain.
With significant new snow and strong wind in the forecast for the weekend, we anticipate widespread avalanche activity will be very likely on Saturday.
If you are headed to the backcountry, please consider sharing your photos and observations from your day on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
By Saturday morning, 10 to 20 cm of storm snow has accumulated, and an additional 20 to 45 cm of snow is expected through the day. Storm snow covers a crust on all aspects except on high north facing terrain, where new snow buries 10 to 15 cm of snow overlying a crust from earlier in March.
A layer of facets and surface hoar from mid February can be found down 30 to 60 cm.
Another layer of facets and surface hoar from late January can be found down 80 to 120 cm.
The lower snowpack contains several crusts that are not concerning.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with flurries, 10 to 20 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with heavy flurries, 25 to 45 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rises to 1200 m.
Flurries will continue overnight, 25 to 50 cm of snow.
Sunday
Cloudy with flurries, 15 to 30 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- It's a good day to make conservative terrain choices.
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers and result in very large avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Ongoing snow and wind will build reactive storm slabs at all elevations. Back off if you encounter signs of instability like whumpfing, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
This layer remains a concern in high north facing terrain where the snowpack depth is variable. This layer may become more reactive with the added stress of new snow and wind.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3