Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
South Coast Inland.
Danger will rise with forecast new snow and wind. If you find places with more than 30 cm of new snow, the avalanche danger may increase to HIGH.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Heavy snowfall with accumulations of 15-25 cm, 30-50 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperatures drop to -10 C.TUESDAY: Snow eases off in the north but continues with another 10 cm in the south bringing total accumulations over the course of the storm to 15-35 cm throughout the region, 20-30 km/h northwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -5 C, freezing level 1000 m.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with some isolated flurries, light northwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -5 C, freezing level 1200 m.THURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods, 20-50 km/h southwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -3 C, freezing level 1400 m.
Avalanche Summary
Several size 1-1.5 loose dry avalanches were reported over the weekend. See this MIN report for an example here. On Saturday, a size 2 wind slab avalanche was triggered by a skier north of Pemberton. The avalanche occurred on a southwest aspect at 1850 m.
Snowpack Summary
Forecast snowfall amounts are variable throughout the region, so expect anywhere from 15-35 cm of fresh snow on Tuesday. Strong southwest wind will likely form drifts and deeper deposits at higher elevations. Beneath this recent snow you may find hard wind-affected snow at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and melt-freeze crusts on southerly slopes. The middle and lower snowpack is generally well-settled.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.