Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Friday night: Clear, light northeast ridgetop wind, freezing level 600 m.

Saturday: Sunny, light variable ridgetop wind, alpine high -1 C, freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday: Around 10 cm new snow, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine high -2C, freezing level 1000 m.

Monday: 10-15 cm new snow, light southwest wind, alpine high -2 C, freezing level 900 m.

As snow fell Friday morning, we received reports of skier controlled loose dry avalanches up to size 1 at Seymour. Touchy remote triggered storm slabs size 1-1.5 were reported on northerly aspects in this great MIN from Pump Peak.

Over the weekend, we expect to see more storm slab avalanche activity as the snow settles in the sun. The underlying crust makes a slick bed surface for avalanches to run on.

Have you been out and about in the mountains? If so please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). It doesn't have to be technical - photos are especially helpful! Thank you so much for all the great MINs submitted so far!

Check out North Shore Rescue's detailed snowpack conditions report here.

In the North Shore mountains, 20-30 cm of quite low density snow overlies a layer of weak crystals sitting on a monster crust which was formed during the atmospheric river early in the week. As the sun comes out Saturday, rapid settlement and accelerated slab development over the weak layer will make storm slabs more sensitive to triggering. If triggered, the crust makes a fast bed surface for avalanches to run far.

We have very little data and a lot of uncertainty around alpine conditions in the region. If you go out in the mountains, please let us know what you see via the Mountain Information Network (MIN). 

• Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
• Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
• Avoid exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.