Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to rapidly fluctuating freezing levels.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Rain transitioning to snow as freezing level drops from 2000 to 1400 m, 30 mm of rain or potentially 20 cm of wet snow at treeline, strong wind from the south, treeline temperatures around +1 C.

FRIDAY: 10-20 cm of wet snow above 1000 m, rain below, moderate wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around 0 C.

SATURDAY: Scattered rain showers and wet snow flurries with 5-15 cm of snow above 1000 m, light wind from the south, treeline temperatures around 0 C. 

SUNDAY: Brief clearing in the morning with treeline temperatures jumping to +3 C before temperatures drop and the next system arrives in the afternoon bringing heavy snow and wind.

As heavy rain transitions to snow overnight expect thick storm slabs to form above treeline and a mix of storm slabs and wet loose avalanches at treeline and below treeline elevations. There is uncertainty about the amount of rain versus snow at each elevation band.

Wet snow will begin to accumulate Friday morning as the freezing level drops. This snow will either create touchy wet loose or storm slab avalanches for the duration of the storm. Rain earlier in the week created a strong and settled snowpack, which is now 250-300 cm deep around the peaks of the North Shore mountains.

• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.
• Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.