Vancouver Island

Periods of low hazard can be a good time to explore more complex terrain.If the snow surface is wet, loose wet avalanches may be possible.

The field team reported a small size 1 loose avalanche from steep terrain near Mt.Cain on Friday.

Looking forward, over the next few days we expect the likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches to be possible to unlikely.

Up to 27 cm of new snow fell on the north Island at upper elevations, and around 5 to 14 cm fell elsewhere in the region Thursday night. This snow likely became rain below 1500 - 1300 m.

The new snow is expected to bond well, but lingering wind slabs may exist on high elevation east slopes.

Moist, wet or crusty snow is expected at lower elevations and on sunny slopes. Dry snow may still exist in the upper alpine, on shady slopes.

The rest of the snowpack is well settled and bonded, with several crust scattered throughout.

Snowpack depths at treeline average 200 to 300 cm.

Friday Night

Clear. 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level rising from 1200 to 2400 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level rising from 2000 to 2600 m.

Monday

Mostly sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.