Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Shore, Sasquatch, South Coast.
Happy New Year! A soggy moisture laden snowpack may continue to produce wet loose avalanches in steep terrain. Have a safe start to the new year by avoiding steep slopes and terrain traps where even a small avalanche could have large consequences.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous loose wet avalanches have been reported over the past few days. Loose wet activity is expected to continue as the snowpack remains rain-saturated and weak.
Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
15-30 cm of moist new snow overlies an unsupportive crust. The remainder of the snowpack is moisture-saturated and isothermal to the ground. If temperatures cool, a crust may be found on the snow surface.
Treeline snow depths are roughly 150 to 200 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
Cloudy with clear periods. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -2 °C. Mostly light westerly ridge wind occasionally gusting to 30 km/h. Freezing level drops to 800 metres.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Ridge wind southeast 10-20 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1100 metres.
MondayCloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 3 °C. Ridge wind southeast 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1400 metres.
TuesdayCloudy with snowfall, 10-15 cm of accumulation. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -1 °C. Ridge wind southeast 25-35 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1000 metres.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
After 200-400mm of rain in the past week, the snowpack is weak and moisture-saturated. Wet loose avalanches will be possible in steep terrain at all elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2