Vancouver Island

Continued warming is destabilizing the snowpack, and wet loose avalanches are possible.

Warm, wet and sticky snow makes for less desirable travel conditions.

On Monday, a few wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were reported. These failed on steep terrain features.

We expect some continued avalanche activity with the warming on Wednesday.

Above 2000 m, 50 cm of storm snow has been redistributed by strong south winds, so deeper deposits exist on north- and east-facing slopes. The surface is expected to be moist at all elevations. Below 2000 m, upwards of 50 mm of rain has soaked the upper snowpack.

A robust crust, formed in early March, can be found in the mid-pack. The snow above is well bonded to this crust.

Below this, the snowpack is well consolidated and strong.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with light rain up to 2 mm. 25 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with trace precipitation. 40 to 50 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 9 °C. Freezing level rises to 3000 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 15 mm falling as snow above 1000 m. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 2 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 15 to 30 mm, falling as snow above 1000 m. 60 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
• Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.