Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that cornice falls are particularly difficult to forecast.

An upper ridge will build along the BC coast overnight into Tuesday morning bringing generally dry conditions.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy with isolated wet flurries, accumulation 1-3 cm, 20-40 km/h westerly winds, low treeline +2 C with freezing level around 1500 m.

TUESDAY: Mainly cloudy, no precipitation, 10-20 km/h westerly winds, high treeline temperature +1 C with freezing level around 1300 m.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 3-5 cm, 20-30 km/h southwesterly winds, high treeline temperature 0 C with freezing level around 1300 m.

THURSDAY: Periods of wet snow mixed with rain, accumulation 25-30 cm, 40-60 km/h westerly winds, high treeline temperature +2 C with freezing level around 1500 m.

No new avalanche activity have been reported over the weekend.

If you head out into the mountains please share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Heavy rain and warm temperatures have saturated the surface snow to around 2100 m, forming a surface crust as temperatures cool the wet snow. Below this, snow is moist down 25-50 cm where several previous crusts sit that are currently breaking down. 

Around 150 to 200 cm deep, sugary faceted grains may sit above a melt freeze crust, that formed during the cold spell in late December. Reports suggest that the snowpack may be bonding well to these layers. The middle and base of the snowpack are strong, consisting of well-bonded snow and various hard melt-freeze crusts.

• Large cornice falls are dangerous on their own.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.