Avalanche forecast

Vancouver Island

Mar 19 – 20, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Use caution around freshly wind loaded pockets of dry snow at higher elevations. They will become increasingly reactive to human triggering as they build throughout the day.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Snow at higher elevations accompanied by strong southeast winds will build thin wind slabs on exposed alpine lee features.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    As the surface loses cohesion due to rain, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wet loose avalanches have been reported in areas that received strong sunshine and warm temperatures in the last few days. Check this MIN out for a great overview of recent conditions.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Mixed precipitation on Monday falls on a variety of surfaces including a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects at all elevations, dry snow on shaded aspects in the alpine and moist surfaces below treeline. Strong southeast winds may build deeper deposits of dry snow in the alpine.

The middle and lower snowpack are consolidated and strong, containing numerous thick and hard melt-freeze crusts.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with mixed precipitation. Rain changes to snow in the alpine during the night, 2-7 mm expected. Strong southeast winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing levels drop to 1200 m.

Monday

Cloudy with light flurries, 2-5 mm accumulation. Moderate southeast winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels 1200 m.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with clear sunny periods in the afternoon. Isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Light east winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels 1100 m.

Wednesday

Mainly sunny. Light southeast winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature +2°C. Freezing levels 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy rain.

Regions covered