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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 13th, 2024–Dec 14th, 2024

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

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

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported this week, but avalanche activity is expected to increase as the snow piles up.

Snowpack Summary

Heavy snowfall will accumulate through Saturday.

The upper snowpack is likely a series of crusts with moist snow between. The lower snowpack is well-settled with no layers of concern.

Snow depths at treeline vary across Vancouver Island from 230 cm near Mt. Washington to 130 cm near Mt Cain. This current storm forecasts the highest precipitation amounts between Cambell River and Port Alberni.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Heavy snowfall, 20 to 40 cm of snow. 60 to 100 km/h south-southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Saturday

Continued snow, 30 to 60 cm. 50 to 90 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy and unsettled. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday

Flurries, 15 cm. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.