Avalanche forecast

Vancouver Island

Jan 7 – 8, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Lingering wind slabs may persist on northerly aspects at the highest elevations.

If the snow surface is moist or wet, loose wet avalanches are possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Dry snow and reactive pockets of wind slab may remain at the highest shaded elevations.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Freezing levels are forecast to remain elevated, increasing the potential for loose wet avalanches. However, if the snow surface is crusty, the avalanche hazard is likely to be low.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a loose wet avalanche was observed (see 1st photo below for details).

On Saturday, skiers triggered a size 2 avalanche in the Mt Washington backcountry.

On Thursday and Friday, riders triggered small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches in lee features at upper elevations. (Slidetastic 5040 MIN)

On Friday morning, explosives triggered several small wind slab avalanches from steep northerly terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Elevated freezing levels and sunshine turned much of the snowpack moist or wet on Monday. Increased cloud cover on Tuesday may cool the snowpack enough to form a surface crust - which will decrease the hazard, but make for poor riding conditions.

Dry snow and lingering wind slabs may persist on northerly aspects at the highest elevations.

The rest of the snowpack currently has no layers of concern, and is made up of well-settled storm snow, rounded snow crystals, and a series of crusts.

Snowpack depths at treeline average 200 to 300 cm.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear. 40 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C. Freezing level 3000 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 65 to 85 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C, freezing level 2500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h ridgetop northwest wind. Treeline temperature +3°C, freezing level 2500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 0 to 8 cm of snow. 60 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C, freezing level 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

Regions covered