Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2021 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate.

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

Email

South Coast.

Avalanche danger will increase through the day Sunday as new snow accumulates over a slippery crust. Expect loose dry sluffing and dial it back if new snow amounts get closer to 20 cm by the end of the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

Snowfall amounts on Sunday are uncertain due to disagreement between weather models.

Saturday night: Increasing cloud, flurries up to 5 cm, moderate westerly wind, treeline temperature around -6.

Sunday: Snow, 5-15 cm, light wind, treeline temperature around -6.

Monday: Snow, 10-15 cm, light southerly wind, treeline temperature around -9.

Tuesday: Flurries, up to 5 cm, moderate southeast wind, treeline temperatures around -9.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports. On Sunday we expect to see loose dry avalanches around size 1 on steep slopes.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of dry snow falls over a widespread crust which has begun to facet and form surface hoar crystals ontop, especially on north aspects. Due to these crystals and cold temperatures, new snow is not expected to bond well to the old surface. Under the frozen block, the remainder of the snowpack is still moist and well consolidated. 

Click here to watch North Shore Rescue's snowpack conditions update including a great explanation of persistent weak layer formation.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2021 4:00PM

Login
Join