Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, North Shore, Powell River, Sasquatch, Sea To Sky, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Stave, Tantalus, Tetrahedron.
If new snow depths are greater than 20 cm, there is a likelihood of storm slabs avalanching under the weight of a human.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported before 4pm on Friday.
If you do head into the backcountry please consider submitting observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Currently, we are experiencing moderate snowfall and rainfall accompanied by strong southwest winds and decreasing temperatures. Anticipate the wind stripping south and west-facing ridges down to frozen crusts, while deeper and more reactive slabs form on north and east-facing slopes.
Below treeline, you'll likely find dirt, or shallow, heavy, moist or wet snow.
The mid and lower snowpack is made up of a series of crusts and rounded grains. The snowpack is generally well consolidated.
Overall, the snow depth remains shallow, creating challenging travel conditions and hiding early season hazards just below the snow surface.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. A trace of new snow expected above 300 m. Moderate northwest ridgetop wind, becoming southeast. Treeline low around -5°C.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. A trace of snow expected. . Treeline temperature around -4 °C. Freezing level around 800 m. Light southwest ridgetop wind
Sunday
Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200-1500 m, possible temperature inversion. Strong south ridgetop wind.
Monday
Cloudy. Heavy snow and rain expected. Freezing level rising to 1200-1500 m. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Extreme south or southwest ridgetop wind.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
- Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.
- Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Rider triggerable storm slabs are likely forming around treeline and above, where new snow is falling on terrain that was already at threshold for avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5