Vancouver Island

Practice safe travel habits in the backcountry.

Frozen surface crust and thin snow cover may make travel challenging.

No recent avalanche activity has been reported.

If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network).

At high elevations, expect to find a dusting of new snow over a melt-freeze crust, and moist snow on the surface at lower elevations. Below the crust, the rest of the snowpack is generally settled and well-bonded.

Below treeline, slopes are largely below the threshold for avalanches.

Saturday Night

Cloudy. 2 to 6 cm of snow expected above 1000 m. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy. 0 to 2 cm of snow expected above 900 m. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 °C.

Monday

Cloudy. Generally 5 to 10 cm of snow expected above 1200 m, with up to 30 cm on the west island. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 2 °C

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow expected above 1000 m. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.