Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
South Coast.
We're working from very few observations right now, but most of the region looks pretty wet and soggy. The exception is the alpine where storm slabs and cornices are likely a real problem. Please let us know what you're seeing on the MIN!
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
We are slowly transitioning towards a period of pronounced high pressure. The forecast period is marked by cooler temps, very little precipitation and the potential for clear skies by the weekend. THURSDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 1200 m, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.FRIDAY: Overcast, freezing level around 1000 m, light southwest wind, a trace of snow possible. SATURDAY: A few clouds, freezing level around 750 m, light northeast wind, no significant precipitation expected.SUNDAY: A few clouds, freezing level around 800 m, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported. Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.
Snowpack Summary
Monday and Tuesday's storm produced over 200 mm of precipitation that mostly fell as rain. Winds were extreme out of the south/southwest. Cornices likely formed on many ridgelines. Alpine areas near Squamish have the most snow, with around 70 cm of settled snow on the ground. In the alpine, there may be a crust lower in the snowpack. It is thought that there is insufficient snow for avalanches below 1500 m.
Problems
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.