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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2026–Apr 4th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Spring returns to the island yet again with sun and warming.

You may find deeper snow in isolated areas around the North and West island.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to the track and intensity of the incoming weather system.
  • The snowpack structure is well understood.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a few small storm slab and loose wet avalanches were reported.

Strong solar input and changing temperatures are rapidly changing conditions. Continue to assess conditions as you travel.

If you are heading into the backcountry, consider sharing your observations and posting a MIN.

Snowpack Summary

30–60 cm of new snow has accumulated at treeline and above so far this week. Expect to find this new snow deeper mid island and south, with the north island seeing lesser amounts. Moderate south or southeast winds will have transported it making deeper, denser deposits in leeward terrain.

Steep south through west facing slopes have a thin, breakable crust that is now down close to 25 cm.

The thick and strong mid-March crust is now expected to be buried by 40-70 cm of mostly settled snow, with the deeper areas being found on the north and west island.

Below this, the rest of the snowpack is wet but well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud. 1 mm of rain at treeline. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 8 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.