Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Sky Pilot, Spearhead, Tantalus.
As the temperatures drop, so too should the avalanche danger.
Continue to assess your local conditions, if they don't match the forecast change your plan to something safer.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday night a large avalanche was likely triggered by a cornice falling into extreme terrain on Atwell Peak. Check out the MIN report here.
Snowpack Summary
A crust has likely formed on the surface at treeline and below, and on steep slopes in the alpine that saw the sun. Surface hoar has been growing in terrain sheltered from the wind.
An otherwise right-side-up upper snowpack appears to be bonding well to a crust buried 70 to 100 cm deep. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and bonded with no layers of concern.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Friday
Cloudy. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
- The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Small wind slabs may build with high wind. If you see snow being transported, investigate for wind slabs forming before committing to your line.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5