Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
South Coast.
The elevated danger ratings and avalanche problems are more applicable to the north of the region (Sky Pilot area) than the south (North Shore mountains). Continually reassess conditions as you travel.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
We're back to wet spring weather on Monday, and continuing throughout the forecast period. MONDAY: Rain (10-15mm) falling mostly late in the day, with wet snow above 1500m. Winds 20-30 km/h from the south.TUESDAY: Wet snow or rain (20-30mm). Freezing level around 1500 m. Winds moderate southwesterly.WEDNESDAY: Rain (10-15mm) up to 1500m. Winds strong southerly.
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, several small storm slabs were observed below treeline near Sky Pilot in the north of the region. See here for more details.
Snowpack Summary
Over the past several days there's been a total of 10-40 cm of new snow at elevations above 1200 m, with plenty of rain-soaked snow below. The new snow and accompanying southeast winds created slab avalanche conditions, particularly on the downwind (northerly and northeasterly) side of ridges and summits. In the Sky Pilot area near Squamish, a storm snow layer down 20cm was reported to be active on Saturday - see Avalanche Summary above for more details. Storm slab and wind slab instabilities are expected to settle rapidly with temperatures above zero during the day and refreezing overnight. Cornices remain large in some areas and could trigger large avalanches when they fail (especially when warmed by the sun, or drenched by rain). Additionally, cornices present a falling hazard and should be given a wide berth while traveling on ridgetops.
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.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.