Avalanche Forecast
Sea To Sky
Forecast snowfall amounts are extremely variable throughout the region. Pay close attention to how much snow falls in your riding area and be prepared to back-off to simple terrain.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Professionals are traveling cautiously due to a weak layer buried 60 to 140 cm. The layer is found in upper treeline and alpine terrain on shady aspects. Warming and cornice failures have been triggers for recent avalanches on this layer.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices, which could trigger persistent slabs.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagation due to the presence of buried weak layers.
- Avoid steep terrain or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday explosives control work in the ranges west of the Pemberton Icefield produced size 3 persistent slab avalanches that are suspected to have failed on the late March weak layer. Observations of older, natural size 3-3.5 avalanches in the area where also attributed to this persistent weak layer. Older natural size 3-3.5 avalanches were also observed at 1800-2100 m in the McBride range. I would expect intermittent persistent slab activity with warming and solar radiation forecast for Sunday and Monday. In the short term, new snow and wind will promote new wind slab activity on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
New snow and wind on Saturday are expected to form fresh wind slabs in upper elevation lee terrain. The new snow is expected to overlie settled storm snow on shaded aspects above 2000m and a melt-freeze crust in most other areas.
A weak layer consisting of surface hoar, facets, and/or a melt-freeze crust from late March is now buried about 60 to 140 cm below the surface. This layer is spotty in its distribution and has recently produced large and destructive avalanches. It is most likely to be problematic on west, north, and east aspects between 1900 m and 2250 m. Professionals are treating this layer very cautiously and avoiding steep, unsupported terrain. Read Conditions report here.
The mid and lower snowpack are well-settled and strong.
Weather Forecast
Friday night and Saturday: 15-30cm of new snow / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 1300m
Sunday: Clear skies / Light and variable winds / Freezing level at 1900m
Monday: Clear skies / Light and variable winds / Freezing level at 2400m
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New snow and wind will promote new wind slab development in upper elevation lee terrain. Watch for triggering behind ridge crests and in gullies.