Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.
Use caution on slopes that are above threshold for avalanches
Such as gullies, chutes and slopes with smooth ground at high elevations
Early season hazards/challenging travel are a concern
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported recently.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow has likely formed wind slab on alpine features. In sheltered features it is possible that this new snow sits on surface hoar. At treeline and below the snow surface will likely be moist on all aspects.
In general the snowpack is very shallow. Only specific terrain features with smooth ground cover and gullies are above threshold for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations, south ridgetop wind 10 to 30 km/h, freezing level rising to 2000 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations, south ridgetop wind 10 to 30 km/h, freezing level around 2000 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, southeast ridgetop wind 10 to 20 km/h, freezing level falling to 1500 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected at higher elevations, south ridgetop wind 25 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
- Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
- Travelling on skis is hazardous due to a very shallow mountain snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow could have formed wind slab on isolated features at higher elevations that are above threshold for avalanches. Think about gullies and other similar features that could collect snow and have smooth ground cover.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5