Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Brandywine, Duffey, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Spearhead, Stein, Tantalus, Taseko.
Be sure to verify conditions before committing to steep slopes and back off if the snow is wet and slushy. Start your day early and end early.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, a large cornice was triggered using explosives. This entrained wet snow on the slope below up to size 2.
Avalanche activity, such as wet loose and cornice falls, may increase with solar radiation, high freezing levels, and a limited overnight refreeze.
Snowpack Summary
Dry snow may linger on shady north slopes in the alpine above 2200 m.
The snowpack is generally strong, with a typical spring diurnal pattern: daytime warming moistens the upper snowpack, then overnight cooling usually forms a hard crust at higher elevations. Lower elevations may not refreeze and are experiencing an all-melt, no freeze scenario and melting out quickly. Isothermal snow conditions exist below 1500 m.
Dormant weak layers may still exist in isolated alpine terrain, but likely require a very heavy trigger, such as a cornice fall. This should be on your radar with forecast high freezing levels, solar radiation, and a limited overnight refreeze.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Clear periods. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2°C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Friday
Sunny. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
Avalanche Problems
Cornices
Large cornices hang over many ridges and are more likely to collapse during warm, sunny weather.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
A prolonged period with no significant overnight refreeze may be established. Natural wet loose avalanche activity is possible.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2