Vancouver Island

Watch for changing conditions as you shift aspect and elevation. A thick crust exists at lower elevations, but fresh wind slabs may build near ridgelines.

Moderate

• We are uncertain about alpine conditions due to limited field observations.

No new avalanches have been reported, however small wind slabs may fail naturally at higher elevations.

Light snowfall is expected overnight, favouring the north and west of the island with up to 20 cm possible at higher elevations.

Below 900 m the snowpack is likely firm and capped by a crust or saturated snow. There is very little snow below treeline.

Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 20 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 4 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1400 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.
• Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.