Avalanche danger ‘high’ on North Shore this weekend amid storm

Avalanche Canada's danger rating map for the South Coast of B.C. is seen in this screenshot from Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (avalanche.ca)

Avalanche Canada is warning of heightened risk on the North Shore mountains as a storm passes through the Lower Mainland this weekend.

The danger rating at alpine elevations was four on a five-point scale Saturday, prompting the organization to warn outdoor enthusiasts to “avoid avalanche terrain.”

Avalanche danger was rated as a three at treeline elevation.

“Rain versus snow amounts remain uncertain as freezing levels fluctuate throughout the day,” Avalanche Canada said in its warning.

A danger rating of four equates to “very dangerous avalanche conditions” and “high” risk, according to Avalanche Canada.

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended under such conditions, which make natural avalanches likely and human-triggered avalanches “very likely.”

Alpine avalanche risk is expected to remain high on Sunday, declining to a three on the five-point scale—which equates to “considerable” risk—on Monday.

Much of B.C.’s South Coast was under a special weather statement warning of the potential for coastal flooding as the weekend’s storm passed through.

• Read more: Coinciding high tides, storm surge bring flood risk to B.C.’s South Coast this weekend