Avalanche forecast

Vancouver Island

Mar 8 – 9, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

A recently formed widespread crust should minimize the likelihood of large avalanches. Exercise caution as new snow accumulates atop the crust, especially in wind-affected terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow, combined with wind, may be forming fresh wind slabs atop a widespread crust at higher elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

  • The snowpack structure is well understood.
  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported.

If you head out, please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

A widespread surface crust likely formed after rain at all elevations, followed by a rapid drop in freezing levels. Up to 20 cm of new snow may have accumulated on top of the crust in alpine terrain by Monday morning, with lower accumulations expected at lower elevations.

The rest of the snowpack shows no layers of concern. Snow depths at treeline range from 95 to 250 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

Regions covered