Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.
Surface snow varies from firm surfaces to shady crust and soft spring snow.
Minor aspect changes make a big difference from slope to slope.
Learn more about spring snowpack conditions here.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday.
Past evidence of wet loose avalanches (size 1 to 2) and old slabs are still visible, such as this one from Sutton Peak area.
NOTE: Observations are currently very limited in this region.
Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
Snowpack Summary
A typical spring diurnal cycle is underway.
High freezing levels have formed a surface crust everywhere.
The snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Lower elevations are melting out rapidly.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Clear. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.
Thursday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 12 °C. Freezing level 3500 m.
Friday
Sunny with increasing cloudiness. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 8 °C. Freezing level lowering to 2000 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with isolated flurries up to 5 cm. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level lowering to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.