Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.
Watch for changing conditions over the day and be prepared to adjust your trip plan.
Heavy rain may switch to snow at higher elevations forming fresh slabs.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported.
We expect avalanches to have occurred at all elevations above threshold during heavy winds, rain and snow.
Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.
Snowpack Summary
Continued snow and rain are expected over the day. The warm and moist snow will settle rapidly, becoming dense and presenting as a slab. Strong southerly winds have likely continued to transport new snow, building deeper slabs at higher elevations. Below treeline, you'll find dirt, or shallow and wet snow.
The current snow depth ranges from 40 to 90 cm, diminishing rapidly below 1000 m.
Terrain features with smooth ground cover, gullies, or established avalanche paths are above the threshold for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 10 cm of snow. Freezing levels rise towards 1800 m. Southerly winds increase, 70-100 km/h.
Wednesday
Cloudy. Freezing levels drop to around 1500 m, 15-30 cm of snow possible above, rain below. Treeline temperature around 2 °C. Strong southerly winds continue, 70-90 km/h.
Heavy snow continues overnight.
Thursday
Cloudy. Freezing levels rise to 2000 m over the day. Up to 15 cm of snow above this, and rain below. Treeline temperature around 4 °C. Southerly winds, 60-80 km/h.
Friday
Cloudy. Up to 15 cm of snow on mountain tops, rain below 2000 m. Treeline temperature around 4 °C. Southerly winds, 60-80 km/h.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from rain.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Wet avalanches are still possible as rain continues at low elevations. Be especially cautious if rain is falling on dry snow as the freezing levels change.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are expected to continue to build with more snow and strong southerly winds. Wind slabs are most sensitive during their formation.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2