South Coast

Avoid avalanche terrain on Tuesday. Large human triggered avalanches are very likely due to heavy snowfall.

Several human-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported over the weekend, including a close call on Mt Seymour on Sunday. Two snowshoers were caught in a size 2 avalanche on a south aspect at treeline. One was partially buried and the other was fully buried. Details of the avalanche can be found here and the rescue here.

Another storm pulse on Monday night will bring 20 to 40 cm of fresh snow, with deeper deposits on wind-loaded slopes. This adds to over 100 cm of snow from the weekend that is gradually settling and strengthening. In wind-sheltered areas, the weekend's snow may have fallen on surface hoar crystals, which could make the strengthening of the storm snow slower than normal.

The lower snowpack is composed of crusts and dense bonded snow.

Monday Night

Cloudy with heavy flurries and 20 to 40 cm of snow above 500 m. 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday

Flurries ease through the morning with another 5 to 15 cm of snow then cloudy in the afternoon. 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C with freezing level climbing to 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain free of overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
• Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
• Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.