Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Strong southwesterly winds result in an onshore flow of a cool, and unstable air mass. This brings moderate to heavy snow at upper elevations for the Vancouver Island ranges and the Coast Mountains.

Tuesday Night: 10-15 mm of precipitation expected with strong southwest winds. Freezing levels 1400 m.

Wednesday: Another 10 mm of precipitation falling as snow above 1300 m. Strong southwest wind continues.

Thursday: Drying and cooling trend with the freezing level dropping to 900 m with light northwest winds at ridgetop and clearing skies.

On Monday, several storm slabs were reported up to size 2. This followed a widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle on Sunday. Skier-controlled storm slabs were triggering remotely and propagating widely at treeline and below as shown in this MIN report. Natural avalanche activity will likely continue through Wednesday with reactive storm slabs in the alpine and upper treeline and loose wet avalanches below treeline.

30-60 cm of new snow from yesterday is becoming soaked by rain. Above 1400 m, snow may begin to accumulate over the rain soaked surface as the freezing level sinks back down. The new snow sits over a variety of weak surfaces including facets, surface hoar and sun crust, to which it appeared to be bonding poorly yesterday. 

50-80 cm below the surface, a 30cm thick crust caps the underlying snowpack which is well settled and strong.

• Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
• Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
• 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.