Get ready for another winter storm. Avalanche hazard will rise as snow accumulates.
Another storm begins Monday. Storm slab size and sensitivity will build with accumulating snowfall. At lower elevations, fresh snow may now provide enough coverage to reach the threshold for avalanches.
On Saturday, a widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 2.5-3 was reported around Sky Pilot and deeper into the Coast mountain. Riders found reactive slabs to size 1 and loose snow sluffing in steep terrain. All avalanches were reported to have failed on the crust below the storm snow.
If you head into the backcountry by any method of travel, please consider submitting observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Another system of heavy snowfall and wind is forecast to begin Monday.
50-80 cm of recent snow covers a crust and well-settled snowpack in the alpine and upper treeline. Strong southwest wind may have redistributed loose snow to lee features. This recent weather has brought winter to the North Shore Mountains, and lower-elevation areas may reach the threshold for avalanches.
Sunday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light and variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Monday
Flurries, up to 25 cm by 4 pm. Southwest ridgetop gusting to strong. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
TuesdayHeavy snow, 50 cm in 24 hrs. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level spiking around 1300 m.
WednesdayIsolated flurries, 5 cm. Moderate and decreasing northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
