Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Shore, Powell River, Sasquatch, South Coast, Stave, Tetrahedron.
Heavy rain and snow continues, if you feel brave enough to venture out, watch for rapidly changing conditions.
In accumulations greater than 30 cm, consider the danger to be HIGH.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Observations are limited but we suspect that storm slab activity will continue at higher elevations and wet loose avalanches will remain possible at lower elevations.
Snowpack Summary
Daily fluctuations in freezing level and ongoing precipitation have resulted in a snowpack that varies greatly with elevation. In alpine terrain much of the recent precipitation may have fallen as snow, Below treeline it has been rain. In the middle a crust or heavy moist snow will likely be found.
The mid and lower snow pack are well settled and not concerning.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with 15 to 25 mm of mixed precipitation expected, southeast alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, freezing level around 1200 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 20 to 35mm of mixed precipitation expected, south alpine wind 25 to 40 km/h, freezing level rising to 1400 m.
Friday
Cloudy with up to 40 mm of mixed precipitation expected, southeast alpine wind 25 to 45 km/h, freezing level rising to 2000 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with up to 60 mm of rain expected, south alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, freezing level rising to 2400 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.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Heavy snowfall with moderate winds overnight and through the day will create fresh storm slabs. Expect deeper and touchier slabs on north aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
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.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5