Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
South Coast.
Significant snowfall is forecasted and will drive up avalanche hazard. For now, avalanche hazard is confined to the high elevations where snow has accumulated.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Snow, accumulation between 25-35 cm, increasing south wind, freezing level below 1000mTUESDAY: Wet snow, accumulating 35-45 cm, strong southwest wind shifting west, freezing level rising to 1400m in afternoonWEDNESDAY: Snow, accumulating up to 55 cm, moderate wind with very strong gusts, freezing level 900 mTHURSDAY: Snow, accumulating up to 45 cm, light south wind with strong to extreme gusts, freezing level rising to 1500m
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported in the region. Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.
Snowpack Summary
Snow has begun to accumulate at higher elevations. Initially, this new snow is not expected to bond well with a recently buried crust.Prior to the recent precipitation, the snowpack has been below threshold depth for avalanches in the North Shore mountains and terrain below 1500 m elevation. In alpine areas near Squamish, the new snow covered up to of 70 cm settled snow. In these areas, a crust is lower in the snowpack, however it is now suspected to be well bonded to the overlying storm snow. A series of storms over the course of the week may deposit enough snow at treeline and lower elevations to make avalanches possible and improve early season travel conditions.
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.