Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Jan 21 – 22, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Heavy precipitation is expected for the next few days. Watch for rapidly changing conditions and signs of instability.

Be prepared to dial back your terrain choices.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Heavy snowfall with moderate winds overnight and through the day will create fresh storm slabs.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Rain has impacted the snowpack. Wet loose avalanches may be triggered in steep terrain, and could run easily on the underlying crust.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred on Friday and Saturday with heavy loading from snow, rain and wind.

There were reports of small wet slab avalanches on the North Shore on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Rain and warm temperatures have impacted the snowpack to mountain top, creating wet and heavy snow at lower elevations.

A crust with softer snow overlying it exists down 40 to 60 cm. The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and well-bonded.

Check out Friday's North Shore Snowpack Update for a deeper dive into the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with precipitation beginning in the early morning. Alpine winds southeast 15 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level falling to 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 15 to 40 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Alpine wind southeast 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 20 to 30 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Alpine wind southwest 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 15 to 20 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Alpine wind southwest 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

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