Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.
Expect forecast new snow to take time to bond to a well established hard crust.
Carefully consider your terrain choices prior to committing to steep avalanche terrain, especially those with with evidence of wind transport and loading.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in the region on Monday. Backcountry users will likely see evidence of a small wet loose avalanche cycle from recent rain and solar input below treeline.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
In terrain above 1600 m up to 10 cm of preserved and wind affected dry snow is likely to exist. An established melt freeze crust can be found at elevations 1600 m and below, expect the new forecast snowfall to take a little time to bond to this old surface. At all elevations the mid and lower snowpack has a number of old melt freeze crusts that are unreactive and overall presents as consolidated, well settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy periods. Moderate southwest winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature low -2°C. Freezing levels 1000 m.
Thursday
Mainly cloudy with snowfall, 5 to 15 cm of accumulation. Moderate southerly winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing levels 800 m.
Friday
Cloudy with flurries, 5 to 10 cm of accumulation. Moderate north winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing levels rise to 800 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with scattered light flurries, 1 to 5 cm of accumulation. Moderate north winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing levels rise to 700 m.
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.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Winds slabs are expected to form and be present on all aspects just below ridgetops and areas that transition into convex features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
The upper snowpack continues to adjust to the recent spring-like weather. As temperatures cool and clouds obscure the sun, expect small loose wet avalanches to continue to only be reactive at lower below tree line elevation terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5