Vancouver Island

Avalanches are possible on wind-loaded features in the alpine.

While no significant avalanche activity has been reported this week, wind slab avalanches probably occurred during the height of Thursday’s storm.

Up to 30 cm of new snow is possible in higher terrain, and it’s likely to be heavily wind-affected. Amounts will taper off quickly below treeline, though the exact rain-snow line remains uncertain.

The new snow is expected to bond well to the strong and settled snowpack.

Lower elevations continue to melt out rapidly.

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
• A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.