Avalanche Forecast

Around 24 cm of new light snow has fallen over the past three daysSignificant winds from the SW to SE late Thursday redistributed a lot of snow on to NE and NW slopes in the alpine and treeline.

A more gentle day Friday fallowed by another moderate snow fall high wind event Saturday. Late Saturday a unfortunate warm up with near 0 temps, high freezing levels and maybe even a bit of rain (east and west more likely to get it while north might miss out) fallowed by some light to moderate new snow Sunday. Friday - 2 to 4 cm of new snow, light SW winds, temps -1 to -4, freezing level ranging from 400 to 1000 mSaturday - 5 to 10 cm of new snow (with possible extra 5 cm of snow or 5 mm of rain depending on freezing levels and temps) strong SE winds, temps -3 rising to potential +1, freezing levels 900 to 1200 m Sunday - 5-10 cm of new snow, moderate SE dropping to light var direction winds, temps -1 to -3, freezing levels 800 to 1000 m

Deep powder loaded slopes are very tempting, but remember loose dry avalanches can be dangerous especially if they are associated with terrain traps, natural features that magnify their depth (gullies) or increase the chance of trauma (pushed off a cliff or into a band of trees). Start with small consequence slopes first to test the zone you want to play on before committing to the line you are truly craving.Avoid wind loaded slopes (NW - NE) in the alpine and treeline elevation bands. Significant winds late Thursday and more forecast for Saturday will create a dangerous wind slab avalanche problem Watch for the forecast warm up later on in the day Saturday. Warm temps and high freezing levels will make the snow pack more sensitive to triggering avalanches. Plan to be off and away from avalanche prone slopes if you note this warming trend. The warm up is forecast to be more significant in the eastern (Mt Washington) and western (Strathcona) regions. Up north (Cain) things stay a bit cooler but stay alert and observant as well. Remember in your excitement to shred the Gnar... (since we are all starved for snow play and the snow is soooo nice) the snow is not very deep yet. Many rocks, stumps and open creek holes are waiting for you, especially at lower elevations. Go slow out there...if you can.

Well its some amazing powder (certainly lighter than we are used to for the island).... if only it was deeper!!! The total snow-pack is approx 40-70 cm below treeline70-130 cm at treeline 130-180 cm in the alpine

• Surface: light dry powder, some wind effect in open and higher zones
• Upper: dry snow slowly getting stiffer the deeper you get
• Mid: a couple layers of interest but they seam to be healing and becoming less of a concern (buried surface hoar)
• Lower: a weak layer right near the ground (basal facets under a thin crust)

Moderate - Many field days, but the loss of weather station data for the western island (Strathcona) leaves a gap in the knowledge.