Avalanche Forecast

Saturday night: Light flurries bringing up to 5 cm new snow. Light to moderate southwest wind. Alpine low -7 C. Freezing level 900 m.

Sunday: 20 to 40 cm new snow with lighter accumulations around Whistler. Strong southwest wind. Alpine high -6 C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday: Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate northwest wind. Alpine high -4 C. Freezing level 700 m.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate southwest wind. Alpine high -3 C. Freezing level 900 m.

The only reports of avalanche activity on Thursday or Friday were a few isolated skier triggered wind slabs to size 1 and cornice control work to size 2.

A widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle is expected Sunday with significant new snow and wind.

20-40 cm of new snow is forecast to fall through the day Sunday. Forecast strong southwest winds are expected to redistribute the new snow at alpine and treeline elevations, loading deep deposits into lee features. These storm slabs may slide easily where they overly a layer of widespread surface facets, surface hoar in sheltered areas or sun crusts on solar aspects.

Faceted snow and crusts exist near the base of the snowpack in much of the region. This layer is dormant at the moment but appears to be most likely a problem on the eastern side of the region, in alpine terrain, and where there is relatively smooth ground (e.g., glaciers, scree slopes, rock slabs).

• Good day to make conservative terrain choices.
• Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
• Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.