Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Tetrahedron.
Dangerous avalanche conditions will develop with the ongoing storm.
Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy rain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported this weekend with limited travel and visibility in the mountains. Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It helps strengthen our data gathering.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 25 mm of recent moist snow is found at upper treeline and above, siting on melt-freeze crust down upper 1200 m. The upper snowpack consists of moist snow overlying a few decomposing crusts formed early January and late December. Below treeline, the snowpack is saturated.
Weather Summary
A strong frontal system will lead a stalled atmospheric river over Coast Mountains through Friday night, bringing heavy precipitation and high freezing levels.
Wednesday night
Cloudy, snow 10-15 cm at higher elevations only, moderate southeasterly winds gusting 60 km/h, freezing levels rising to 1800 m, high of +3C at treeline.
Thursday
Stormy, 40-60 mm of rain, strong southeasterly winds gusting 65 km/h, freezing levels around 2000 m, high of +4C at treeline. 50-75 mm overnight.
Friday
Stormy, 30-60 mm of rain, moderate southeasterly winds gusting 65 km/h, freezing levels around 2000 m, high of +4C at treeline.
Saturday
Rain 20-30 mm ending by midday, moderate southwesterly winds gusting 30 km/h, freezing levels dropping to 1500 m, high of -3C at treeline.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
At upper elevations, overnight snow amounts will develop touchy storm slabs, especially on leeward terrain features where deposits are deep. Large natural avalanches are likely, particularly when wet snow will change into heavy rain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Forecasted rain will likely destabilize the snowpack and create loose wet avalanches on steep slopes. Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2