Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, North Shore, Powell River, Sea To Sky, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Tantalus, Tetrahedron.
UPDATED 6:20
Due to snow, warming and rainfall, adjust travel plans accordingly. Seek sheltered and low-angled terrain.
On lower elevation terrain, early-season hazards still exist.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported before 4pm on Monday.
If you do head into the backcountry please consider submitting observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
The current storms snowfall and rainfall will begin breaking down the upper snowpack crust at lower elevations and as south winds increase build deeper slabs at higher elevations. Expected cornice features to increase in size and the snowpack to become unconsolidated at lower elevations due to a mix of snow and rain.
The mid and lower snowpack is made up of a series of crusts and rounded grains and is well consolidated.
Overall, the snow depth tapers rapidly with elevation and remains shallow creating challenging travel conditions and hiding early season hazards just below the snow surface.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy. Heavy snow and rain expected 60 to 100 mm. Freezing level rising to 1500-2000 m. Treeline temperature around 3 °C. strong gusting extreme, south west ridgetop wind.
Tuesday
Cloudy with afternoon clearing. Heavy snow and rain that is expected to cease in the am 20-40 mm. Freezing level 1200-1500 m. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. Strong easing to moderate , south west ridgetop wind.
Wednesday
Cloudy. Snow and rain that is expected to begin in the pm 10 to 20 mm. Freezing level 1500-1900 m. Treeline temperature around 2 °C. Moderate gusting strong, south ridgetop wind.
Thursday
Cloudy. Snow and rain that is expected to begin in the pm 10 to 15 mm. Freezing level 1500 m. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Moderate gusting strong, south west ridgetop wind.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
As precipitation switches from snowfall to rainfall, expect the upper snowpack to become unconsolidated.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Storm Slabs
Expect to find new slabs in upper treeline and alpine elevations. The touchiest slabs may be in lee terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2