Avalanche forecast

Vancouver Island

Mar 29 – 30, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Where there's dry snow (at the highest elevations), check for wind slabs around ridgelines and in leeward terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Where dry snow accumulates, check for wind slabs around ridges and leeward terrain.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Wet loose avalanches are possible at lower elevations where the snowpack is moist or saturated from rain, or where new snow sees sun and warming for the first time.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Looking forward, we expect small wind slabs may have formed at upper elevations.

Small loose wet avalanches out of steep terrain on northwest-facing slopes were reported on Thursday around Mt Washington.

Snowpack Summary

5 cm of new snow falls on 20 cm of moist snow at upper elevations and a wet and unconsolidated upper snowpack below 1100 m, from above-freezing temperatures and rain.

A robust crust, formed in early March, can be found in the mid-pack. The snow above is well bonded to this crust. Below this, the snowpack is well consolidated and strong.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Sunday

Clearing to sunny. 45 to 60 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 mm falling as snow above 1000 m. 10 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1250 m.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

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