Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Shore, Powell River, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Stave, Tetrahedron.
Avalanches are possible on wind-loaded features in the alpine.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
While direct observations are lacking, recent storms likely produced some wind slab and wet loose activity. As temperatures cool on Friday, wind slabs at upper elevations will be the main concern.
A few small (size 1) skier-triggered slabs were reported on Mount Seymour on Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20 cm of wind-affected snow is possible at upper elevations, while treeline elevations have a settled, rain-soaked snowpack. Lower elevations are melting out rapidly.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
The freezing level was likely low enough on Thursday for new snow to accumulate in alpine terrain, forming wind slabs along ridgelines and open alpine slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2