Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Shore, Sasquatch, South Coast, Tetrahedron.
Watch for changing conditions as the overnight storm on Sunday delivers more snow / rain.
Forecast winds are expected to form fresh wind slabs at higher elevations.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported since Thursday. Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It helps strengthen our data gathering.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 15 mm of precipitation (wet snow or rain) has fallen into the region Sunday. At treeline, 30-40 cm of moist snow is overlying a supportive crust formed late December. At the higher elevation, dry snow may be found. As the freezing level falls, a new crust will form on all aspects at treeline. Below treeline, the snow surface will likely remain moist and saturated.
Weather Summary
A series of frontal bands will generate periods of moderate snowfalls Sunday night and Monday night. The heaviest precipitation will fall along upslope regions of the South Coast. Overcast skies and dry conditions are expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sunday night
Stormy, 10-20 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations, rain at treeline and below, moderate southeast winds gusting 50 km/h, freezing levels around 1200 m, low of +0C at treeline.
Monday
5-10 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations, rain at treeline and below, moderate southeast winds gusting at 60 km/h, freezing levels rising to 1400 m, high of +2C at treeline. Additional 20-30 mm overnight.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy, no precipitation, moderate southeasterly winds gusting 50 km/h, freezing levels around 1200 m, high of +2C at treeline.
Wednesday
2-5 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations, rain at treeline and below, moderate southeasterly winds gusting 50 km/h, freezing levels around 1400 m, high of -2C at treeline.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and strong winds are expected to form touchy wind slabs on specific north-facing features at higher elevations. Closely monitor the bond between the slabs and the underlying snow or crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Forecasted rain will likely create some loose wet avalanches. Steep slopes will remain likely places for avalanches to occur - especially with a human trigger. Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2