HEAVY rainfall in the North Shore mountains has avalanche experts on edge this weekend.
Up to 60 millimetres of rain was recorded by noon Friday on Cypress Mountain and Environment Canada was predicting more to come.
The Pineapple Express weather system had the Canadian Avalanche Centre and North Shore Rescue on high alert for avalanches on the North Shore.
"I really advise people to heed these warnings, these things should not be taken lightly," said Tim Jones of North Shore Rescue. "This isn't a general forecast. This is a local forecast specific to the North Shore. Some of the areas I'm aware of now are in extreme conditions, at or below tree line."
The weather system may cause very heavy avalanches, which are extremely dangerous, according to Jones.
"These aren't your typical avalanches. This is very heavy, wet, concrete snow," he said. "You don't survive these kind of avalanches. It's like concrete. You don't need to get buried very deep and that's it."
Jones said snowshoers should pay attention to the warnings as much as any skier or snowboarder.
"We want people who snowshoe to understand that they have to treat the backcountry or closures the same way skiers do."
The rainfall shut down Mount Seymour and Cypress Mountain on Friday, with only Grouse Mountain's downhill ski slopes staying open until around 2 p.m. when they also closed due to the weather.
Total rainfall for Friday was predicted to peak at between 100 and 120 mm - while the total rainfall for the entire last month of February was 158.1 mm, according to Environment Canada.
Pineapple Express or Tropical Punch is a term used to describe a very moist air mass brought in from the sub-tropics around the Hawaiian Islands.
The District of North Vancouver and the District of West Vancouver reported no floods or road washouts, but West Van did have more staff in place to watch the creeks on the weekend.
Jeanine Bratina, spokeswoman for the district of North Vancouver, said city crews were clearing ditches and culverts to prevent flooding, and asked residents to clear their local storm drains of leaves or debris.
