Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Sky Pilot, Spearhead, Tantalus.
While avalanche hazard is improving with cooling temperatures, human-triggered persistent slab avalanches remain a concern in areas not capped by a thick surface crust.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the region.
If you are heading into the backcountry please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network. We read every report!
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of snow overlies a melt-freeze crust that covers the surface of the snowpack everywhere but north-facing terrain above 2000 m where the surface remained dry through the prolonged warming. Below the crust is 50 to 80 cm of moist snow.
100 to 250 cm down is a weak layer of facets overlying a crust. This layer was the culprit in many very large avalanches through the extended warm period. Uncertainty remains around how long this layer will persist with cooler temperatures.
Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
Clear. 10 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Monday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
- A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
This weak layer has slowly been gaining strength however concern remains for human-triggering the layer on sheltered north aspects above 2000 m. If triggered avalanches will be large and destructive.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5
Loose Wet
Small wet loose avalanches may be reactive to human triggering in steep sun affected terrain if solar input is strong and the snow surface becomes moist.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2