Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

jminifie, Avalanche Canada

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

New snow may have a hard time bonding to existing crusts and hard surfaces. Approach avalanche terrain with caution as the storm starts on Wednesday and builds through the week.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been reported.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

On the surface, a supportive melt-freeze crust exists on most aspects and elevations, on northerly, sheltered terrain the crust is reported to be breaking down. There are reports of the presence of surface hoar on top of this crust. The crust ranges from roughly 1 to 10 cm. Below the surface crust, the snowpack is moist and generally well settled and bonding, with no current layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Cloudy with clearing periods, no precipitation. Moderate northwest alpine winds. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with snow, 10 to 20 cm (highest amounts on the west of the island). Strong southwest alpine winds. Treeline temperatures around 0 C. Freezing levels 1300 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with snow, 5 to 15 cm (highest amounts on the west of the island). Strong south alpine winds. Treeline temperatures around 0 C. Freezing levels 1300 m.

Friday

Cloudy with snow, 10 cm (highest amounts on the west of the Island). Moderate to strong south alpine winds. Treeline temperatures near 0 C. Freezing levels 1300m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate amounts of new snow are forecast to fall with southerly winds. This could result in wind slabs that are poorly bonded to the old crusts and hard surfaces beneath. Approach any slope with more than 20cm of new snow on it with caution.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2023 4:00PM