Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Shore, Powell River, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Stave, Tantalus, Tetrahedron.
As new snow accumulates be sure to assess for cohesive slab formation and how it is bonding to the underlying crust.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the region.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
New snow beginning Thursday will bury a melt-freeze crust, existing on all aspects at treeline and below. The crust extends into the alpine on solar aspects. In north-facing alpine terrain the surface snow has remained cold and dry during the recent warm, sunny weather.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and bonded.
Weather Summary
Wednesday night
Cloudy with wet flurries or rain. Treeline temperatures around 0 C. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop winds. Freezing level 800 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with snow or rain, 5 to 10 cm. Treeline temperature 0 to -5 C. Moderate south ridgetop winds. Freezing level 900 m.
Friday
Cloudy with snow, up to 10 cm overnight and another 10 cm through the day. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C. Moderate to strong west ridgetop winds. Freezing level 500 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny periods. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C. Light west ridgetop winds. Freezing level 500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for cohesive slab formation through the day in areas that receive more then just a few centimeters. New snow will bury a melt-freeze and/or surface hoar.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2