Storm slabs are building at treeline and above.
Use conservative terrain selection during periods of rapid loading from new snow or rain.
30 to 50 cm of new storm snow may accumulate at treeline and above by Saturday afternoon. Expect to find deeper deposits due to wind on northerly slopes.
Wet loose avalanches are possible where precipitation falls as rain or the upper snowpack is moist or wet.
Reports have been very limited during the recent stormy period. Several wet loose avalanches were reported across the region over the past few days, generally in the small (size 1-1.5) range.
We expect with further snowfall accumulating overnight and through Saturday that storm slabs will be reactive.
Over 100 mm of precipitation has fallen in parts of the region over the past few days. Freezing levels have fluctuated, with periods of rain reaching mountaintops. Temperatures are expected to drop, and 30 to 50 cm of fresh snow is anticipated above 1000 m overnight and through Saturday. The highest precipitation is forecast for the North Shore. These conditions will create reactive storm slabs at upper elevations, with deeper and more sensitive deposits forming on northerly slopes due to strong southerly winds. At lower elevations, expect a moist or wet snowpack.
For more details on the North Shore snowpack, check out this video.
Friday Night
Cloudy, with 15 to 25 cm of snow above 1000 m, potential rain below. Highest amounts for the North Shore. 35 to 45 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level around 1400 m, dropping to 1000 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 15 to 25 cm of snow above 1000 m, potential rain below. Highest amounts for the North Shore. 35 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 25 to 35 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.
Monday
Cloudy with 15 to 30 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h variable ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level around 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
