Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Stave, Tetrahedron.
Conditions may evolve quickly at this time of year.
Be wary of loose wet avalanches on steep features, especially if solar radiation is strong.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche was reported, but field observations are limited.
Recent heavy new snow and high winds make for reactive slabs at upper elevations while heavy rain likely triggered loose wet avalanches at lower elevations.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 40 cm of heavy snow accumulated overnight Monday. This adds to a buried crust or rain-soaked surfaces at most elevations. At upper elevations, 30 to 50 cm of dense recent snow can be found.
A late-January weak layer (hard crust, facets, or surface hoar) is buried 100 to 150 cm deep, this layer should be entombed beneath a firm crust in most areas, with some uncertainty around the highest elevations of the region.
The lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries up to 5 cm. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +0°C. Freezing level around 1200 m.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +8 °C. Freezing level reaching to 2500 m.
Thursday
5 to 10 cm of wet snow at upper elevations only. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +6°C. Freezing level lowering to 1800 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 25 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +10°C. Freezing level reaching 2700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
At upper elevations, recent snowfalls and high winds have likely formed wind slabs in lee terrain. Expect hazard to increase with elevation and to be greatest near ridge crests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Surface snow may produce loose wet avalanches in steep terrain, particularly if the solar radiation is strong. Surface crust formation, where it occurs, will neutralize this problem.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5