Vancouver Island

Avalanches are unlikely but a dusting of snow over a hard crust can make for difficult travel and increase the consequences of slips or tumbles on steep terrain. 

Saturday night: Clear. Strong northwest wind. Freezing level 700 m.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate northwest wind. Treeline high temperatures around -5.

Monday: Overnight snow 15-25 cm then clearing. Moderate northwest wind. Treeline high temperatures around -6.

Tuesday: Scattered flurries. Moderate to strong northwest winds shifting southwest. Treeline high temperatures around 0.

A thick surface crust has effectively eliminated avalanche concerns in the region.

A skiff of new snow sits over a thick, supportive surface crusts at all elevations.

Recent indications of the region's surviving snowpack suggested alpine depths around 150 cm, depth tapering dramatically with elevation to about 30-60 cm at treeline. Snow cover is thin and below threshold for avalanches below about 1300 metres. 

• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.