A few natural and triggered storm slabs avalanche (size 1) and loose wet were reported Saturday. Also, large avalanches sliding on recently buried surface hoar and deeper buried crusts have been observed in the region as well as in the neighboring South Coast Inland.

Recent snowfalls and strong southerly winds have created reactive storm slabs in leeward alpine and treeline features. The new snow also buried deeply a surface hoar layer observed in between 1800 and 2100 meter and a combo of thick crust/ facets present up to 2200 meters. Surprising large avalanches sliding on these weak layers have been reported over the last few days and, if upper elevations slopes haven't avalanched already, further loading by snow and wind or human triggers could initiate avalanche activity on these layers.

Average snow depths at treeline are now likely closer to 150-200 cm; 250+ cm in the alpine. Snowpack depths decrease dramatically below treeline and may still be below threshold for avalanches in some areas. Early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and creeks are still a concern at these lower elevations.

A weak ridge of high pressure will bring a break between storms with mainly quiet conditions for Monday. 

Sunday night: Flurries; 10-15 cm. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Alpine low temperatures -3 C with freezing levels going down to 1600 metres.

Monday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures -3 C with freezing levels steady at 1600 metres.

Tuesday: Heavy snow or rain; 15-30 cm. Strong southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures -3 C with freezing levels at 1700 metres.

Wednesday: Wet snow mixed with rain; 25-35 cm. Strong southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures +1 C with freezing levels at 2200 metres.

Large avalanches sliding on recently buried surface hoar and deeper buried crusts have been observed in the region as well as in the neighboring Sea to Sky.

Reports in the region remain limited. Be sure to post your observations to the Mountain Information Network !

With freezing levels going down overnight, a crust will develop at the surface at treeline and will be covered by 5-10 cm of new snow. In the high alpine, thick storm slabs are likely to be found in lee terrain features.

Recent snowfalls sit over a layer of surface hoar or crust down 60-90 cm that produced avalanche activity in neighboring Sea to Sky region. Deeper in the snowpack, a hard rain crust sits around 70-110 cm below the surface, or shallower on windward slopes. Another rain crust exists near the bottom of the snowpack.

Average snowpack depths in the alpine are now 130-180 cm. Below treeline, depths of 30-50 cm have been reported around 500 m, decreasing dramatically with elevation, and still below threshold for avalanching in many areas.

Early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and creeks are a concern below the alpine.

 A weak ridge of high pressure will bring a break between storms with mainly quiet conditions for Monday. 

Sunday night: Moderate rain or flurries; 5-10 cm. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Alpine low temperatures -3 C with freezing levels going down to 1600 metres.

Monday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures -2 C with freezing levels steady at 1700 metres.

Tuesday: Periods of snow; 5-10 cm. Strong southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures -2 C with freezing levels at 1700 metres.

Wednesday: Wet snow mixed with rain; 10-20 mm. Strong southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures +2 C with freezing levels up to 1700 metres in the north of the region and 2800 metres in the south of the region.

No avalanches have been reported in the region and overall reports in the region remain limited. Be sure to post your observations to the Mountain Information Network!

Heavy rain has affected the snowpack at all elevations. With a bit of cooling over Sunday night we should see surface crust beginning to form and eliminate chances of wet loose avalanche activity. In areas where crust may fail to form (especially lower elevations), this potential could linger.

Average treeline snow depths are around 80-100 cm with much of treeline and all below treeline elevations still below threshold depths for avalanches.

Early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and creeks are a concern below the alpine.

Sunday night: Cloudy with isolated showers. Moderate to strong southwest winds.

Monday: Cloudy. Light southwest winds. Treeline temperatures around +3 with freezing levels to 1750 metres.

Tuesday: Wet flurries transitioning to heavy rain in the afternoon; 20-30 mm accumulation. Moderate to strong southwest winds, increasing over the day and overnight. Treeline temperatures rising from around 0 to +4 over the day as freezing levels climb from 1400 to 2500 metres..

Wednesday: Rain; 20-30 mm accumulation. Strong south or southwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around +4.