Avalanche Forecast

High - Weather models in agreement. When and where convective alpine snow showers fall remains difficult to pinpoint.

Seek terrain options went either entering wind loaded terrain or when considering traveling over a wind effected terrain feature like a convex roll. Avoid south aspect terrain, when daytime temperatures begin to rise and if and when the sun comes out. Identify terrain traps and avoid as even a small loose wet avalanche will gain mass and pose a potential threat. Provide a wide berth and increase the margin of safety when travelling either above or below cornices.

No new natural avalanches observed and no reports of skier triggered avalanches. If you have any information about conditions or activity in the back country or If you have observed avalanche activity or been involved in an avalanche, please send your observations to us at forecaster@islandavalanchebulletin.com.

Strong south wind and snow fall amounts between 30 and 50 cm over the past forecast period have contributed to variable surface conditions and wind slabs have developed on lee aspects. Testing has found this newly transported snow is binding but producing moderate resistant planar results. The march 22 crust can now be found down over 145 cm and is still reactive to testing but all within the hard range. The lower snow pack is well settled and continues to strengthen.

Strong south east and south west winds and moderate to at times heavy snowfall rates have deposited between 40 to 60 centimeters down as low as 800 meters. This past weather event has rebuilt the upper snow pack with various layers of moist and wet snow. Following Fridays winter like storm, daytime temperatures rose with cool nights, these factors combined with solar effect created a breakable crust on all aspects and at all elevations.

A Southern flow followed by a ridge of high pressure in the region will deflect most of the weather around the forecast area. Beginning Monday, we will see some relief from pacific weather fronts with clearing and some sun, very little precipitation and mostly light to moderate north winds. Monday: no new snowfall. Temperatures 1 overnight rising to 5 mid day, winds light south east. Freezing level 1000 m rising to 1600 m. Tuesday: no new snowfall slight possibility of rainfall. Temperatures 0 overnight rising to 4 by mid day, winds light to moderate north west. Freezing level 900 m to 1200. Wednesday: 5 to 10 cm new snowfall, temperatures 0 rising to 5 mid day, winds light to moderate south west. Freezing level 800 to 1400 m.