Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Jan 26 – 27, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Closely monitor conditions as you gain elevation. Up high, where precipitation may have fallen as snow, rider triggerable storm slabs are likely.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Heavy snowfall with strong winds overnight and through the day will create fresh storm slabs. Expect deeper and touchier slabs on north aspects.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches will be possible in steep terrain where the snow surface is wet. They will be largest at treeline where precipitation may initially fall as snow and then switch to rain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Observations from alpine terrain in this forecast region have been limited. We suspect that natural avalanches have been occurring at high elevations where precipitation has been falling as snow.

Snowpack Summary

In high alpine terrain recent precipitation may have fallen as snow and formed storm and wind slabs. At treeline the majority of recent precipitation has fallen as rain , with fluctuating freezing levels a mix of heavy snow and crusts could be found. Below treeline the snowpack is saturated and disappearing.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with around 10 mm of mixed precipitation expected, south alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 1400 m.

Friday

Cloudy with up to 30 mm of mixed precipitation expected, south alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 40 mm of rain expected, south alpine wind 40 to 70 km/h, freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 100 mm of rain expected, south alpine wind 50 to 70 km/h, freezing level rising  to 2800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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