Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 11th, 2022–Apr 12th, 2022

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

Regions

Vancouver Island.

Assess for wind slabs in steep terrain prior to committing yourself. Treat the danger as a step higher and watch for storm slab development if you find more than 20 cm of snow accumulate over the day.

Confidence

High - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds with no precipitation, 10 km/h east wind, treeline temperature -3 C.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm with local amounts up to 30 cm possible, 20 to 40 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -4 C.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall then clearing, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -4 C.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with afternoon snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 km/h east wind, treeline temperature -3 C.

Avalanche Summary

This MIN describes the recent snow as being reactive but only producing small avalanches. Looking forward, riders have the potential of triggering this recent snow, particularly in steep, wind-loaded terrain features.

Observations are limited at this time of year, so please consider posting to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Anywhere from 5 to 30 cm of snow is forecast to accumulate on Tuesday with strong southeast wind. This adds to the 25 cm that accumulated over the past couple days in the middle of the island and 5 cm in the north. The snow may be blown into wind slabs in steep terrain features at higher elevations. Local areas that receive more than 20 cm should watch for storm slab development. All this snow sits on a hard melt-freeze crust.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong, consisting of hard snow and melt-freeze crusts.

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.