Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Harrison-Fraser, North Shore, Powell River, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Stave, Tetrahedron.
Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended on Saturday.
Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 30 cm of new snow.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported by 4 pm on Friday.
With significant new snow and strong wind in the forecast for the weekend, we anticipate widespread avalanche activity will be very likely on Saturday.
If you are headed to the backcountry, please consider sharing your photos and observations from your day on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20 cm of snow could accumulate by Saturday morning, and an additional 30 to 60 mm of mixed precipitation is expected through the day. Storm snow covers a thick a crust except on high north facing terrain, where new snow buries up to 20 cm of dense snow overlying a crust from earlier in March. Below this crust is a generally moist upper snowpack.
The mid and lower snowpack contain several crusts that are not concerning.
Weather Summary
Friday
Cloudy with flurries, 10 to 20 mm of mixed precipitation. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with heavy flurries, 30 to 60 mm of mixed precipitation. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rises to 1500 m.
Heavy precipitation continues overnight, 25 to 50 mm of mixed precipitation
Sunday
Cloudy with heavy flurries, 20 to 50 mm of mixed precipitation. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level around 1200 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level around 500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- It's a good day to make conservative terrain choices.
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Ongoing snow and wind will build reactive storm slabs in exposed areas at all elevations. Back off if you encounter signs of instability like whumpfing, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Wet
Forecasted precipitation may fall as a mix of rain and snow on Saturday. Where the precipitation falls as rain, a natural wet loose avalanche cycle may quickly result. Avoid any exposure to avalanche terrain during rainy periods.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2