Avalanche Forecast

A Major warm up on Friday and extensive rains were felt up to the Alpine Mountain environment. Late Friday, the air temperature dropped and into Monday we have received a consistent and moderate snowfall amount in excess of 30cm to 45cm depending on aspect, elevation and location on Vancouver Island. The skiing has been great!

A large storm cycle of strong precipitation, wind and freezing level fluctuations is expected over the next 24 HRS.Monday - Air temps will rise above zero, (2cm-10cm of snow) in the afternoon precipitation will shift to rain (5mm-20mm Rain) , Moderate mountain top Winds from the SW, Temps O degrees to +2 degrees, Freezing Level rising to 1850MTuesday - Big rise in air temperature will bring about extreme rain up to Alpine (20mm - 80mm Rain), Extreme Winds from the SW will lessen throughout the day but expect more snow transport, unstable snow on multiple aspects at Treeline and Alpine elevation, Temps +3 to -7 degrees, Freezing Level dropping from 2000M to 1,600M later in the day.Wednesday - Forecast models indicate a major drop in air temperatures and light snowfall (1 cm to 5cm Snow), Air temperature steady at -7 with a freezing level at 600M of elevation.

Monday is likely the best day to get out explore terrain however later in the day Rain and/or snow is forecast to fall in many parts of the island. As incoming strong rates of precipitation arrive, so too will additional load and stress to the snowpack. Dial back your objectives in terms of slope angle and keep an eye out for snow cracking underfoot, whumpfing and other signs of instability.

Despite the major warm up earlier in the weekend, the air temperatures have dropped back below zero and have helped to consolidate the snowpack. New storm snow has begun to settle. In shallow snowpack regions, a more pronounced surface hoar layer is providing results that indicate less consolidation in the upper snowpack. Monday evening and Tuesday forecasted rainfall may increase load on this problematic layer and contribute to a possible natural avalanche cycle at Alpine and upper elevation Treeline Environments.

• Surface: Depending on Aspect and elevation, anywhere from 20cm-40cm of light dry powder snow on a firm rain crust
• Upper: A laminated Rain crust of several ice layers from Friday's major rain event is confirmed from mid island (Mt Wash) to North Island (Mt Cain)
• Mid: A well consolidated mid pack that includes a facet and Surface Hoar Layer approximately 60cm down are increasingly more stubborn to triggers during snow pack testing
• Lower: Well Settled

Moderate - Weather models in agreement, Moderate field data available, insufficient Weather station data.