Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.
A wet avalanche problem will persist while the snowpack remains moist and saturated.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
A wet avalanche cycle to size 1.5 occurred overnight Tuesday into Wednesday with wet slabs reported on north and east aspects and loose wet avalanches on solar aspects.
Snowpack Summary
With freezing levels reaching 2500 m and ongoing rain, expect to find a slushy and saturated snowpack. When temperatures fall the snowpack will freeze and dry, likely producing a uniform and cohesive snowpack capped by a crust.
Snowpack depths at treeline vary from 200 to 250 cm.
Weather Summary
Thursday night
More rain, 10 to 20 mm. 30 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Friday
Cloudy with showers, 10 to 25 mm. 50 to 80 south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level reaching 2500 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with freezing rain. 50 to 80 km/h with gusts exceeding 100 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Sunday
Continued precipitation, 5 to 30 mm. 50 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level dropping below 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Freezing levels are forecast to reach 2500 m along with continued precipitation. Expect the wet avalanche problem to persist until temperatures drop below freezing.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5