Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Sea To Sky.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
The clouds will clear out Saturday evening, giving way to pleasant weather on Easter Sunday. Back to wet spring weather on Monday.SUNDAY: Sunshine in the morning, clouding over in the afternoon. Freezing level rising to 1800 m, highs near +3. Winds light southerly.MONDAY: Rain (5-10mm) up to 1600m, with wet snow higher up. Winds 20-30 km/h from the south.TUESDAY: Wet snow or rain. Freezing level around 1500 m. Winds moderate southwesterly.
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, explosives control work was able to trigger a Size 2 storm slab on a northwest facing aspect in the alpine near Whistler. Skiers were also able to trigger several Size 1 soft slabs in steep leeward alpine terrain. Expect avalanche activity to increase with the warm weather on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
We've had 20-30 cm of settling storm snow above 1500m. Winds were moderate to strong from a variety of directions and have created fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain at treeline and above. On Sunday the sun will come out in full force - it's a good time to remember that cornices remain large in some areas and could trigger large avalanches when they fail (especially when warmed by the sun). The fatal accident near Lions Bay a week ago illustrates the danger of cornices breaking off, and the large avalanches they can trigger.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2