South Coast

Rain to mountain top accompanied by strong to extreme wind sets the stage for a nasty day in the mountains Tuesday. If you do head out, watch for an active loose wet avalanche cycle.

Low - Due to the number of field observations

An atmospheric river is expected to deliver significant precipitation, strong to extreme wind and warm temperatures to the South Coast through Tuesday. The overall flow should become more westerly Tuesday night allowing the freezing level to return to treeline by Wednesday. A weak ridge is anticipated for the latter half of the week with potential for another significant series of storms by the weekend.MONDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 2200 m, strong to extreme south/southwest wind, 50 to 65 mm of precipitation (!), the bulk of which is expected to fall as rain.TUESDAY: Overcast, freezing level beginning around 2000 m, lowering to 1600 m in the afternoon, strong southwest wind, 20 to 30 mm of precipitation expected.WEDNESDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level holding around 1500 m, light to moderate southwest wind, 1 to 5 mm of precipitation possible.THURSDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 1300 m, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.

No avalanches have been reported.Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.

Alpine areas near Squamish are expected to have the most snow, with around 70 cm of settled snow on the ground. Recent southwesterly winds may have produced deeper drifts of snow behind ridges. At higher elevations, it is possible the recent new snow may rest on top of a crust. In most places below 1500 m there is insufficient snow for avalanches.