Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

FRIDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloudiness / Moderate, southwesterly winds / Alpine low -2 C / Freezing level 1000 m.SATURDAY: Snow; 10-20 cm. (rain below roughly 1000 m.) / Strong, southwesterly winds / Alpine high -1 C / Freezing level 1200 m.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high -1 C / Freezing level 1100 m.MONDAY: Mostly cloudy / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high 0 C / Freezing level 1300 m.

On Thursday, there were numerous small (size 1) skier triggered storm slabs reported on primarily northerly aspects below ridgetops near Whistler. Avalanche activity is expected to increase on Saturday with the forecast snow and wind.On Monday, four skier-triggered storm slab avalanches (size 1.5-2) in the Whistler backcountry were reported on north facing aspects below alpine ridgetops, including this Decker Main MIN report here.

Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 15-30 cm. of recent storm snow (amounts tapering with elevation) is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2000 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southerly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions HERE.