Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Brandywine, Duffey, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Spearhead, Stein, Tantalus, Taseko.
It's a good time to explore more complex terrain, start your day early and end early.
Be sure to verify conditions before committing to steep slopes and back off if the snow is wet and slushy.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, cornice failures with the use of explosives were seen up to size 2. The cornice chunks did not release slab avalanches on the slopes below. No significant avalanche activity has been reported since the last warm, sunny day on Friday (see below).
Looking ahead, avalanche activity such as wet loose and cornice falls may increase with solar radiation, forecast high freezing levels and a limited refreeze.
Snowpack Summary
Dry snow may linger on shady north slopes in the alpine.
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 melting out quickly.
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 once we start to see the forecast high freezing levels, solar radiation, and a limited overnight refreeze
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Clear periods. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Thursday
Sunny. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Friday
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: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
By Thursday 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
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5