Avalanche Forecast

It is likely that a natural avalanche cycle occurred during the heaviest part of Friday night's storm. On Sunday, natural avalanche activity should taper off, but human triggered avalanches are still likely on slopes that are above threshold.

See this MIN post regarding touchy conditions on Mt. Seymour on Friday.

Up to 60 cm of new snow has introduced rapid change to the thin, early season snowpack. In the alpine and upper treeline, rider triggerable storm slabs could exist on slopes that are above threshold. Moderate Southwest winds will likely be forming deeper, reactive pockets of slab in lee features.

Under the new snow you will likely find a variety of early season surfaces, including crusts and 5-15 cm of recent snow. Previously, snow coverage in the region was generally thin, patchy and showing lots of ground roughness. Average snowpack depths at treeline ranged from 20 to 60 cm and tapered off rapidly below treeline.

Saturday Night

Cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate Southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5°C.

Sunday

Cloudy. 10-15 cm of new snow expected, or moderate rain, depending on freezing level. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1250 m, as high as 1750 m in the south end of the forecast area.

Monday

Cloudy. Moderate to heavy rain expected (20-40 mm). Moderate to strong south or southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 3000m.

Tuesday

Cloudy. Heavy rain expected (60-90 mm), easing through the day. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 3000 m through the heaviest rain, falling to 1500 m as the storm passes.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
• Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.