Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

An unstable onshore flow will give flurries to the BC coast with showers below 1000 metres. 

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear, no precipitation, 30-50 km/h south wind, treeline temperature +4 C with freezing level at 2000 m.

MONDAY: Periods of snow and rain beginning in the morning, accumulation 10 to 20 cm above 1000 m and rain below, 50-70 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature 0 C.

TUESDAY: Rain, heavy at times, accumulation 50 to 70 mm, 40-60 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature +3 C with freezing level at 1900 m.

WEDNESDAY: Rain, heavy at times, accumulation 50 to 90 mm, 50-70 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature +4C with freezing level at 2200 m.

Small loose wet avalanches in the new snow and above the melt-freeze crust were reported on Sunday. Avalanche activity is likely to increase on Monday with warm temperature, new precipitation and high wind, espacially in the alpine and at treeline. At lower elevations, any snow that accumulates above the melt-freeze crust may slide easily.

We'd appreciate any observations while you are out travelling on the Mountain Information Network.

New snow (20-30 cm) with moderate to strong southwest winds have formed widespread wind slabs in exposed alpine and treeline. Below around 1200 m, the new snow is overlying a hard melt-freeze crust. 

Around 100 to 150 cm deep, a thin and hard melt-freeze crust may sit above sugary faceted grains that formed during the cold spell in late December. Reports suggest that the snowpack may be bonding well to these previous surfaces.

The middle and base of the snowpack are strong, consisting of well-bonded snow and various hard melt-freeze crusts.

• Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.