Avalanche forecast

Vancouver Island

Mar 30 – 31, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Warming can rapidly destabilize the snowpack. Back of slopes when the snow gets moist and give cornices a lot of space.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warm overnight temperatures and even warmer daytime temperatures can rapidly destabilize the snowpack. Back off slopes when snow surfaces get moist or wet. Cornices may also loose cohesion and fail naturally.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of slab development in the fresh storm snow was reported Thursday, and yesterday (Friday) solar warming triggered an avalanche, included in this MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of dry snow may persist on shady, high-elevation slopes. In most areas, a widespread crust caps the snowpack, this crust will soften quickly under the sun and with daytime warming.

Wet surface snow or an isothermal snowpack may be found as temperatures rise. The mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong. At lower elevations, spring is quickly approaching.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly clear with patchy cloud. Northwest ridgetop wind gusting to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature low 0 °C. Freezing level near 1500 m.

Sunday

Sunny. Northwest ridgetop wind 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature high +8 °C. Freezing level rising above 2500 m.

Monday

Partly cloudy and clearing. Northwest ridgetop wind 30-50 km/h. Treeline temperature +9 °C. Freezing level up to 3000 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 mm. Southwest ridgetop wind 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level falling.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

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