Avalanche danger will increase throughout the day as another storm will affect the region.
Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazards.
Moderate to heavy snowfalls are stacking at upper elevations only. The likelihood of natural avalanches will increase as the storm progresses Saturday. Rider-triggerable avalanches will be likely, especially on lees of ridge lines and cross-loaded features.
Rain and above-freezing temperatures have weakened the snowpack at low elevations, which may remain weak until a solid crust forms. Watch for unstable snow on steep terrain, where loose avalanches are likely to get triggered.
Although there were no reports of avalanche activity, we suspect an avalanche cycle occurred on Thursday night / early morning Friday with high freezing levels and heavy precipitations.
If you head out in the backcountry, consider sharing your observations with us on the Mountain Information Network!
Up to 75 mm of precipitation has already fallen since Thursday. This has soaked the snowpack at lower elevations and brought wet and heavy snow at upper elevations only. This wet snow is resting on a crusty surface formed last week below 1400 m. Above 1400 m, it is falling on storm snow from last weekend (30-50 cm), which was bonding well to an underlying melt-freeze crust. The middle and lower snowpacks are strong and well-bonded.
Wet, warm & windy conditions will continue to impact the region as two more storms will roll into the South Coast ranges over the weekend.
Friday night
Isolated flurries. Local amount 5-10 cm. Strong southwesterly wind gusting 50 km/h. Alpine low -5 °C. Freezing level lowers to 1000 m.
Saturday
Snow at higher elevations. Local amount 30 cm. Strong southwesterly wind gusting 60 km/h. Alpine low -4 °C. Freezing level around 1200 m.
Sunday
Rain. Local amount up to 40-50 mm. Strong southwesterly wind gusting 60 km/h. Alpine high -1 °C. Freezing level rises 1800 m.
Monday
Cloudy. Isolated flurries. Moderate southwesterly winds gusting 45 km/h. Alpine high -2 °C. Freezing level lowers to 1000 m
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
