Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Brandywine, Duffey, Homathko, Sea To Sky, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Spearhead, Stein, Taseko.
Carefully assess conditions as you gain elevation. At elevations where precipitation fell as snow wind slabs are possible, where precip fell as rain the problem is most likely wet loose.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few small wet loose avalanches have been observed in steep terrain over the past few days.
If you're heading out in the backcountry, please consider sharing any observations on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
New snow will likely form wind slab throughout the day in the alpine. At treeline and below precipitation is likely to fall as rain making the snow surface moist.
At treeline and above two layers of note are buried around 30 to 70 cm deep. Both consist of a crust that tapers at higher elevations, and surface hoar in sheltered areas.
Overall, the snow depth remains shallow, with average treeline snowpack depths between 70 and 100 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 40 Â km/h, freezing level around 1800 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with up to 3 cm of new snow expected, south alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, freezing level around 1800 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 25 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 1700 m.
Friday
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 25 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Adjust your travel plans accordingly to the changing conditions of elevation and time of day.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow may form wind slab at upper elevations on northerly aspects and crossload east and west aspects.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches are possible on steep terrain due to warm temperatures and rain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5