Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.
Minimize your exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported.
The current stormy weather is expected to elevate the avalanche danger, increasing the likelihood of human-triggered avalanches.
If you visit the backcountry, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 30 cm of new snow is expected to accumulate at upper elevations by the end of the day Thursday.
Strong southerly winds are expected to build thicker and more reactive wind slabs on lee northerly slopes near ridgetops.
The storm snow sits on a widespread thick and supportive crust formed during last week's warm sunny weather.
Wet surface snow or an isothermal snowpack may be found below the rain/snow line, which is expected to rise from 900 to 1200 m throughout the day.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong, with no concerns at this time.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow possible. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature drops to around -3 °C. Freezing level drops to around 900 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow possible. 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.
Friday
Cloudy with 0 to 4 cm of new snow/light rain. 20 to 30 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. Freezing level rising to around 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New storm snow is expected to build up cornices and form reactive wind slabs on lee slopes near ridgetop.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2