Avalanche Forecast

High

• The snowpack structure is well understood.

A natural cycle of wet avalanches likely occurred across the south coast during the past week of heavy rain. With cooler temperatures and a refrozen surface, avalanches are now unlikely, but watch for any isolated areas where the surface may not have fully refrozen.

The snow surface will refreeze Friday night as freezing levels drop. A light dusting of snow may fall on this crust before skies clear Saturday morning. Over 200 mm of rain this past week has created a strong snowpack of dense, wet snow and melt-freeze crusts.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature dropping to -5 °C. Freezing level dropping from 1500 to 700 m.

Saturday

Sunny in the morning then increasing cloud in the afternoon. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level climbing to 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• Although avalanches are unlikely when a hard crust exists on the snow surface, the crust may pose a slip and fall hazard.