Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Shore, South Coast, Tetrahedron.
Warm temperatures and sunshine continue to create slushy surface snow and potential for heavy, wet avalanches.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Small loose wet avalanche activity was reported on Friday and Saturday. We are still awaiting observations but expect that wet avalanche activity intensified during the rapid warming period on Sunday afternoon.
Snowpack Summary
Around 30 cm of recent snow is becoming moist or wet in the warm temperatures and sunshine. It is reportedly bonding well to an underlying crust. Dry and even wind affected snow may be found on shady aspects in the alpine.
At low elevations the snowpack is melting out with each day of warm weather.
Weather Summary
Sunday night
Partly cloudy. 50 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 3000 m. Treeline temperature +3 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2700 m. Treeline temperature +10 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with snowfall starting late afternoon, 5-10 cm. 50 to 60 km/h southwest winds. Freezing level 2500 m. Treeline temperature +8 °C.
Wednesday
Overnight freezing level drops below 1000 m. 15 to 25 cm of new snow overnight, then flurries bringing around 10 cm through the day. 30 to 40 km/h southwest wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Potential for wet avalanche activity (slab and loose) increases as temperatures rise, but concern is greatest on steep, sun affected slopes. Avalanches may initiate easily on the smooth crust below.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2