Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

After a succession of snowstorms over southern BC, the weather over the lower mainland will settle into a dry period as 2017 comes to an end and 2018 begins. All indications point to the dry spell lasting until at least mid-week.SUNDAY: Clear skies, freezing level beginning at sea level rising to 2500 m in the late afternoon, light northwest wind, no snow expected.MONDAY: Scattered cloud, freezing level around 2500 m, light variable wind, no snow expected.TUESDAY: Scattered cloud, freezing level around 3000 m, light variable wind, no snow expected.

No new avalanche activity was reported on Friday. On Thursday skiers intentionally triggered avalanches on northwest trough southeast facing slopes to size 1.5. Crowns averaged 20 to 30 cm in depth and up to 90 m in width. Ski tourers noted shooting cracks on unsupported slopes while touring near the Lions. They also reported natural avalanches from the steep slopes below the Lions.

Two successive storms produced 40 to 80 cm of snow over the last few days. Friday night's storm started as rain before turning to snow overnight. The brief period of rain followed by snow and cooling temperatures is thought to have helped the snowpack to settle and stabilize.50 to 100 cm below the surface you'll likely find a couple of melt-freeze crusts which were buried mid-December. This interface has been dormant and has not produced any recent avalanche activity. Below this, the snowpack is thought to be strong and well settled. The snowpack depth is about 160 cm at 1000 m, 220 cm at 1250 m. Many early season hazards are still present at lower elevations.