Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Tetrahedron.
UPDATED 06:30AM
Heavy precipitation and warm temperatures are forecasted for our region on Friday.
Back off and use a conservative mindset if you see slab formation and reactivity.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, skiers controlled triggered two wet loose avalanches. There was also a report of an accidentally triggered storm slab avalanche with no involvement.
A large storm slab avalanche was reported on the 5th in the Tetrahedron. We anticipate more of these types of avalanches are likely to occur due to this last storm.
There is potential for deep storm slabs and wind slabs to slide on a buried crust, producing large and destructive avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate southerly winds will have redistributed the up to 70 cm that has fallen this week. Southerly winds have redistributed this snow into wind slabs at higher elevations. Expect to see moist or wet snow
A hard crust can now be found in sheltered, approximately 60 to 80 cm deep. The rest of the mid and lower snowpack seems strong and consolidated.
Snowpack depths are reaching 230 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with late-day sunny periods, up to 5 cm accumulation in the morning, and more snow starting later in the evening at higher elevations, winds southerly 65 km/h, treeline temperatures at 2 C, and cooling.
Friday
Cloudy, up to 25 cm accumulation at a higher elevation throughout the 24-hour period, winds southerly 40 km/h, treeline temperatures -3 C.
Saturday
Cloudy, trace accumulation, winds southwest 25 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures - 5 C.
Sunday
Cloudy, up to 8 cm accumulation with rain at lower elevations, winds southwest 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperatures -2 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Good day to make conservative terrain choices.
- Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow combine with moderate to strong winds and warm temperatures will likely produce reactive storm slabs.
Southerly winds will begin to redistribute storm snow and form pockets of wind slabs in the lee of features in exposed terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
A rain saturates the upper snowpack at lower elevations, loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5