The hazard may go higher than forecast if the region receives more snow than expected. Temperatures, elevation and aspect are critical factors in trip planning these days.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
A cold front will move onto the coast late in the afternoon today bringing cooler conditions with moderate precipitation. Freezing levels will lower overnight to around 1000 m. SUNDAY: Freezing level will hover around 1000 m, 10 to 15 cm of snow in the forecast, light southwest winds. MONDAY: Sunny skies with some cloudy periods, no precipitation in the forecast. Freezing level is forecast to rise to 1700 m, with moderate winds from the south. TUESDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks, temperatures will go up as we come under the influence of a strong high pressure ridge, freezing level forecast to rise to 2500 m. No precipitation in the forecast. CloudFor more detailed mountain weather information visit: https://avalanche.ca/weather
Avalanche Summary
Numerous reports of avalanche activity on Friday in the new storm snow and in some wind deposited locations. Many skier accidental (Sa) and skier controlled (Sc) on north and east aspects above 1600 m. Also of note are several natural cornice (Nc) releases in the alpine on north aspects producing size 2.5 avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Last weeks blast of snow left up to 40cm in some parts of the Sea to Sky region. Winds associated with the storm produced wind and storm slabs at treeline and above. Below the new snow, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. South slopes will become moist/wet quickly with the strong spring sun. Cornices are reported to be huge and fragile.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.