Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.
At the north end of the region, if you see more than 15 cm of new snow, treat avalanche danger as one step higher at alpine and treeline elevations.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported.
Snowpack Summary
Small amounts of dry snow accumulate over crusts and moist snow.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally uniform, with no significant layers of concern.
Below treeline, most areas are below threshold for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Areas outside the forecast region are forecast to receive significant precipitation Sunday. There is potential for these higher amounts to trickle into the northern extent of the forecast region.
Saturday night
Around 5 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 to 80 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level dropping to 800 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with around 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Pockets of wind slab may form as the wind deposits small amounts of new snow into leeward terrain features at upper elevations.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5