Give storm snow time to settle and bond, particularly in western terrain where storm totals have been significant.
Storm snow may remain reactive to human triggers, particularly in wind affected terrain (north and east facing slopes near ridgeline)
No recent avalanches have been reported.
We expect a natural avalanche cycle to occur in areas with strong winds and heavy snowfall.
Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.
By Saturday afternoon storm totals have likely reached 80 cm in the far west, 50 cm in the centre of the Island and around 30 cm in eastern terrain. Storm snow may accumulate over thin crusts on south facing slopes, which could increase reactivity.
Strong southwest winds has likely built deeper and more reactive slabs in wind-loaded features on north and east aspects.
The remainder of the snowpack is strong and hosts numerous hard melt-freeze crusts.
Treeline snow depths generally range from 50 to 150 cm. Snow depth diminishes rapidly below 1000 m. Traveling on skis is almost impossible below treeline.
Friday Night
Cloudy with 10-20 cm of snow, up to 40 cm on the Western edge. Winds 40-60 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels around 700 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow in most areas, up to 20 cm is possible in the west. Treeline temperature -3 ºC, freezing level 900 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny with increasing cloud in the afternoon and no precipitation. Northwest winds, 20-40 km/h. Freezing levels around 800 m, treeline temperature -4 ºC.
Monday
Cloudy with flurries. Southwest winds 40-60 km/h. Freezing levels rise to 1000 m. Treeline temperatures around -1 ºC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
