Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Old evidence of isolated storm slabs from lee terrain, and small loose avalanches from steep southerly alpine features (size 1) may still be visible near Whistler. On Friday, very large persistent slabs (up to size 3) were naturally triggered on Decker Mountain and Panorama Ridge in Whistler, with wide propagation from shallow rocky alpine northern slope. These avalanches involved up to 100-120 cm deep persistent weak layers that resulted in wide propagations.

10-20 cm of new snow may be found over a recent thin melt-freeze crust up to 2000 m. Underneath, 65 and 130 cm of soft snow and heavily wind-affected snow overlies a layer of poorly bonded crusts and surface hoar. These have shown sensitivity to natural and remote triggers over the last 3 days. The lower snowpack is strong and bonded.

The snowpack at treeline has been rain-saturated, and a surface crust may form soon with upcoming cooling. Total snow depths remain below average, with 60 to 80 cm at treeline.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, no precipitation, alpine wind southwest 20 km/h, treeline temperature around -5 °C, freezing level at 1200 m.

Monday

Mostly sunny, no precipitation, alpine wind southwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature around -3 °C, freezing level at 1200 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy, 5-7 cm of snow, alpine wind southeast 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature around -1 °C, freezing level at 1400 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind southeast 20 km/h, treeline temperature around +0° C, freezing level at 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.