Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Spearhead, Tantalus.
Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended on Monday.
The new storm snow is not bonding well to old surfaces. Human-triggered avalanches are very likely. Stick to conservative terrain.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, numerous natural and human-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported up to size 3. Storm slab avalanches were reported at all elevations.
On Saturday, numerous human-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported up to size 2 in treeline and below treeline features.
If you are headed to the backcountry, please consider sharing your photos and observations from your day on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 110 cm of storm snow blankets the region. Strong southwest winds have redistributed storm snow into deep pockets on lee slopes at the ridgeline. 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 100 to 140 cm.
Another layer of facets and surface hoar from late January can be found down 150 to 200 cm.
The lower snowpack contains several crusts that are not concerning.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level drops to 800 m.
Monday
Cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 2 cm. 20 to 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level around 800 m.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 2 to 9 cm. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 5 to 8 cm. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Storms slabs have been reactive at all elevations.
- 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
Up to 110 cm of storm snow and strong winds have built 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: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers remain a concern in high, north-facing terrain where snowpack depth is variable. These layers are still adjusting to the new snow load and may be reactive to human-triggering.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3