Vancouver Island

If the new snowfall surpasses 30 cm, the danger level in the alpine and at treeline is deemed considerable.

Travel carefully due to early season hazards.

No new avalanches were reported before 4pm on Sunday.

Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.

Expected snowfall and rainfall will begin breaking down the upper snowpack at lower elevations and as south winds increase, will begin to build deeper wind slabs at higher elevations. Past storm snow is likely to have adhered effectively to the existing old surfaces. Below treeline, you'll find dirt, or shallow, heavy, moist or wet snow.

Previously mild temperatures and continuous rainfall have saturated and reduced the snowpack. The current snow depth ranges from 40 to 90 cm, diminishing rapidly below the 1000 m elevation threshold.

Terrain features with smooth ground cover, gullies, or established avalanche paths are above the threshold for avalanches.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy. Light rain or snow expected. Freezing level rising to 1000-1200 m. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. Light to moderate south east ridgetop wind.

Monday

Cloudy. Heavy snow and rain expected to begin in the pm 30 to 100 mm. Freezing level rising to 1200-1500 m. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. strong gusting extreme, south east ridgetop wind.

Tuesday

Cloudy. Heavy snow and rain that is expected to cease in the am 20-40 mm. Freezing level 1200-1500 m. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. Moderate building to Strong in the afternoon , south ridgetop wind.

Wednesday

Cloudy. Snow and rain that is expected to begin in the pm 5 to 10 mm. Freezing level 1500-1900 m. Treeline temperature around 3 °C. Moderate gusting strong, south ridgetop wind.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.