Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Regions
South Coast.
Storm slabs at upper elevations may be reactive due to rising temperatures. If temperatures do not rise enough to melt the surface crust at lower elevations, the hazard will be low at treeline and below.
Confidence
Low - Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy / northwest winds, 20-30 km/h / alpine low temperature near -1 / freezing level 900 m / alpine temperature inversionFRIDAY - Mainly cloudy / northwest winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near +2 / freezing level 2000 m / alpine temperature inversionSATURDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / west winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near +6 / freezing level 3300 m SUNDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / northwest winds, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near +5 / freezing level 2800 m
Avalanche Summary
A few size 1 explosives triggered avalanches were reported in the region on Wednesday.Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.
Snowpack Summary
30-50 cm of new snow mixed with rain fell over the South Coast region recently. This new snow likely sits on a melt-freeze crust at treeline and below. Expect to find a breakable melt-freeze crust on the surface below approximately 1300 m. This crust may melt and turn to moist or wet snow as freezing levels rise on Friday.At upper elevations, where the recent precipitation fell as snow, over 130 cm has accumulated since the stormy weather began last week. At upper elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there may be a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) buried approximately 80-100 cm. Information on the strength and distribution of this layer is very limited.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.