Vancouver Island

Avalanche danger will depend on how much of Thursday night's precipitation falls as snow. Observe and verify conditions as you travel. Be ready to dial it back if you encounter more than 15 cm.

The most recent reports of avalanche activity were on the weekend. We expect the likelihood of triggering avalanches to remain low.

Overnight precipitation is forecast to start as rain and turn to snow as temperatures drop. Snow accumulation depends on the timing. 0 to 10 cm is likely, but higher amounts are possible, especially at the highest elevations of the north island.

The new snow falls heavy and moist over wet or crusty surfaces, and is expected to bond well.

The rest of the snowpack is well settled and bonded with several crust scattered throughout.

Snowpack depths at treeline average 200 to 300 cm.

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 20 mm/cm of mixed precipitation; rain turning to snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level dropping 3000 m to 1500 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1000 to 2500 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 30 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1000 to 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.