Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Shore, Sasquatch, South Coast, Tetrahedron.
Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at alpine and treeline elevations.
Make conservative terrain choices by choosing low-angle slopes and avoid overhead hazards.
Confidence
High
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 15 mm of precipitation (snow/ rain) has fallen into the region Sunday. At treeline, 30-40 cm of moist snow is overlying a supportive crust formed late December. At the higher elevation, dry snow may be found. As the freezing level falls, a new crust will form on all aspects at treeline. Below treeline, the snow surface will likely remain moist and saturated.
Weather Summary
A frontal band will generate periods of moderate snowfalls Monday night. The heaviest precipitation will fall along upslope regions of the South Coast. Overcast skies and dry conditions are expected by midday Tuesday. A deeper system is expected to push heavier snowfalls into the region late evening Wednesday.
Monday night
Stormy, 20 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations, rain at treeline and below, moderate southeast winds gusting at 50 km/h, freezing levels rising to 1200 m, low of +2C at treeline.
Tuesday
Stormy 5-10 cm ending by midday, moderate southeasterly winds gusting 40 km/h then easing off, freezing levels around 1200 m, high of +2C at treeline.
Wednesday
Snow 5-10 cm starting midday at higher elevations, rain at treeline and below, moderate southeasterly winds gusting 50 km/h, freezing levels around 1400 m, high of -2C at treeline.
Thursday
Stormy, 20-30 mm of rain, snow at upper elevation only, moderate southeasterly winds gusting 65 km/h, freezing levels around 2000 m, high of +4C at treeline.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Additional snow amounts and strong winds are expected to form touchy storm slabs at all aspects at treeline and above. Storm slabs will be most reactive where the wind has loaded deep deposits into leeward terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
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: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2