Avalanche forecast

Vancouver Island

Mar 11 – 12, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 7 months ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Recently accumulated storm snow atop a crust has created dangerous avalanche conditions in many areas.

Use extra caution in wind-loaded terrain or anywhere over ~40 cm sits atop the crust.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    New snow continues to accumulate atop a widespread crust. Storm slabs will be the largest and most reactive at higher elevations, in recently wind-loaded terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
  • We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported.

If you head out, please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 50 cm or more of recent snow has buried a widespread crust formed last weekend. Strong winds have redistributed this snow in exposed terrain, while the snow remains generally low-density in sheltered terrain.

Below the crust, the remainder of the snowpack is generally settled and well-bonded.

Read the MIN from the local AvCan field team for more details on North Island conditions.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday
Mostly sunny. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

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