Vancouver Island

Deeper in the snowpack, there is a layer that is difficult to trigger but would carry high consequences if triggered.

Investigate this layer before committing to larger terrain features.

No recent avalanches have been reported recently. Keep sharing your observations by submitting a MIN report! They are especially helpful in the early season when snowpack information can be limited.

The snowpack is thin and averages 100 cm deep at treeline. The surface is now a variety of crusts and/or heavily wind-affected snow.

Down approximately 70 cm, there is a buried layer containing decomposed surface hoar crystals. There is also a layer of weak, sugary crystals near the base of the snowpack. Neither of these layers has produced avalanches and is no longer giving significant results in snowpack tests.

The instability associated with a coastal low will exit the region Sunday. An arctic front will generate gusty northerly winds and cold temperatures into next week.

Saturday night

Partly cloudy. Flurries possible. Northwest wind at 45 km/h ridge tops. Low of -5 C. Freezing level at the valley bottom.

Sunday

Cloudy. Flurries possible. Northwest wind at 30 km/h ridge tops. High of -7 C.

Monday

Partly cloudy. No precipitation. Northwest wind at 20-30 km/h at ridge tops. High of -9 C.

Tuesday

Cloudy. Flurries possible. Northwest wind at 40-50 km/h at ridge tops. High of -9 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.