Vancouver Island

Storm slabs are likely reactive to human triggers at treeline and above; especially in wind affected terrain.

Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.

No avalanches were reported in this region on Sunday, but observations are very limited.

On Friday and Saturday, avalanche activity included natural and human triggered size 1-2; storm slabs and loose dry at dry upper elevations and wet slabs and loose wet at lower elevations where precipitation fell as wet snow or rain.

Observations are limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Around 25-50 cm of heavy, wet new snow exists between 1000-1400 m. Above 1400 m, dry snow has likely been redistributed into deeper deposits on north-facing terrain features by strong southerly winds. Below 1000 m, rain has saturated the snowpack.

The storm snow sits over a melt-freeze crust at mid-elevations, and over settling dry snow at high elevations on shaded slopes. The middle and lower snowpack is strong and well-bonded.

Monday night

Cloudy with flurries; 3-10 cm / 30 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -3 C / Freezing level 700 m

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries; 3-10 cm / 20 km/h west ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 900 m

Wednesday

Sunny / 10 km/h north ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 3 C / Freezing level 1300 m

Thursday

Cloudy / 20 km/h west ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 0 C / Freezing level 1100 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.