Rainfall has greatly altered and weakened the snowpack, hazard will remain elevated until temperatures drop back below freezing.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Evidence of widespread wet slab and wet loose avalanche activity over the last few days continues to be reported. Reports suggest numerous avalanches running full path to valley bottoms, up to size 3.5.
Snowpack Summary
In general, rain has heavily saturated and weakened the upper snowpack. In alpine terrain, the surface may have begun to refreeze and have up to 10 cm of dry snow above the moist snow.
At treeline and below the snowpack remains largely isothermal.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of various old crusts and is generally well-settled and well-bonded.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 mm of rain or wet snow, southeast alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 2100 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 10 to 30 mm of rain or wet snow (highest amounts around the Squamish area and decreasing as you move towards the Whistler area), southeast alpine terrain winds 30 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 2100 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 mm of rain or wet snow, southeast alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, freezing level around 1600 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with trace snow amounts, south alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, freezing level around 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
- Carefully manage your exposure to overhead hazards while entering and leaving riding areas.
Problems
Wet Slabs
Slab avalanches are particularly concerning where recent rain has soaked the upper snowpack, reaching down to old crusts. Predicting these avalanches is especially challenging, and triggering them may have serious consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Recent rainfall has weakened the upper snowpack. Loose wet avalanches remain possible, particularly in steep or unsupported terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 31st, 2024 4:00PM