Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.
Use conservative terrain selection.
New snow sees warming or rain for the first time, rapidly destabilizing the snowpack.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
We expect avalanches will remain easy to trigger with snowfall, rain, and warming.
On Sunday, sluffing was reported at Mt Washington.
On Saturday, storm, wind, and wet loose avalanches were reported near Mt Arrowsmith up to size 2. See this MIN for more details.
Snowpack Summary
Above 2000 m, 50 cm of storm snow has been redistributed by strong south winds, so deeper deposits exist on north- and east-facing slopes. The surface is expected to become moist even at upper elevations on Tuesday. Below 2000 m, upwards of 50 mm of rain has soaked the upper snowpack.
A robust crust, formed in early March, can be found in the mid-pack. The snow above is well bonded to this crust.
Below this, the snowpack is well consolidated and strong.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with 10 to 15 mm, falling as snow above 2000 m. 60 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 2 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with trace precipitation. 50 to 60 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level rises to 3000 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with trace precipitation. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 9 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy with 25 to 50 mm, falling as snow above 1500 m. 60 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use conservative route selection and resist venturing into complex terrain.
- Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
- Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm snow and strong southwest winds have formed reactive storm slabs. Expect to find deeper and more reactive deposits on north and east aspects, where the wind has loaded lee slopes.
Cornices also exist due to these winds.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Loose Wet
Rain up to 2500 m and warm temperatures will rapidly destabilize the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2