Avalanche Forecast

High

No new avalanches were reported by Thursday at 4 pm.

Evidence of a natural loose wet avalanche cycle from Wednesday is still visible. These avalanches were triggered by above 0°C temperatures in the alpine and solar radiation. Avalanche activity has subsided with colder temperatures.

A few centimeters of snow covers a melt-freeze crust on all aspects at all elevations, except on northerly aspects, where the crust extends up to 1900 m. In the alpine and exposed treeline, this crust sits over old wind slabs and wind-affected surfaces. On sheltered north-facing slopes above 1900 m, the snow remains dry.

A weak layer of surface hoar or facets is found 10 to 30 cm deep. This layer remains a concern where wind slabs have formed above it. This layer is active in snow pit tests north of the Sea to Sky highway.

An otherwise right-side-up snowpack appears to be bonding well to a crust buried 70 to 100 cm deep. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and bonded with no layers of concern.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 20 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Sunday

Mainly sunny. 25 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
• The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.