South Coast

A Special Avalanche Warning is in effect. Avalanche danger will increase rapidly with incoming intense storm.

High -

SATURDAY NIGHT: Another storm expected to arrive with 40 to 60 mm of rain / 30 to 40 cm of snow at higher elevations. Freezing level around 1000 m. Strong south or southwest winds.SUNDAY: Around 50 - 60 mm rain / 30 to 40 cm snow at higher elevations. Freezing level rises to nearly 2000 m. Strong southerly winds.MONDAY: Around 30 to 40 mm rain / 20 to 30 cm snow at higher elevations. Freezing level falling to around 1200 m. Moderate southwesterly winds.TUESDAY: Intensity of the storm diminishes overnight with lighter rain / snow amounts and moderate winds. Freezing level around 1200 m.

No new reports of avalanches in the region; however, in the neighbouring Sea to Sky region a widespread natural avalanche cycle continued on Friday. Similar avalanche activity could likely be found at high elevations in the South Coast region. The incoming storm will start a fresh round of direct action avalanches on steeper or leeward facing slopes where more than 20 or 30 cm of snow accumulates.

Recent rain-soaked snow has frozen into a crust in most places. The exception is higher elevations near Squamish where dry snow likely still exists. For these higher elevation areas, expect to see highly variable patterns of wind deposits on account of last week's extreme winds. In alpine areas near Squamish, snow depths are now approximately 170 cm.