Vancouver Island

It's rugged out there! Just enough snow for some transceiver practice. With this thin coverage, a slip or fall in steep terrain could have high consequences.

So far this season no avalanches have been reported on the Island. This should stay the same until we see another substantial snowfall.

Alpine climbers looking to extend their season might be the most likely candidates to encounter the limited avalanche hazard that currently exists.

In most areas of the Island where snow coverage exists, a firm crust is likely to be found on or very near the surface. Light amounts (5-10 cm) of dry snow may be found on north-facing terrain at high elevations. Areas like this remain the exception, with snow coverage all over the Island generally remaining thin and patchy, especially at treeline and below.

Snowpack height at treeline currently ranges from less than 20 cm at Mt Arrowsmith to around 50 cm in Strathcona Park to 30 cm at Mt Cain.

Saturday Night: Clear skies. North alpine wind 5-10 km/h, shifting west. Freezing level 2700 m.

Sunday: Clear skies. West alpine wind 5-10 km/h. Treeline high temperature 6°C. Freezing level 2800 m.

Monday: Clear skies. Southwest alpine wind 20-25 km/h. Treeline high temperature 6°C. Freezing level 3000 m.

Tuesday:

Clear skies. Southwest alpine wind 15-25 km/h. Treeline high temperature 3°C. Freezing level 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.
• Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.