Vancouver Island

Slabs may build through the day at high elevations. Travel cautiously, as buried obstacles are a real threat.

We haven't received any field reports yet. We suspect that any recent avalanche activity occurred in high alpine terrain where stormy conditions may have triggered small slabs.

Looking forward, it is possible that riders could trigger storm slabs as they develop at higher elevations on Thursday. Avalanche activity is unlikely at or below treeline where ground roughness is substantial.

Please consider sharing your observations to the MIN.

Snow depth varies rapidly with elevation. No snow exists below 1000 m. Around 10 to 40 cm of snow exists at treeline. Up to 60 or 80 cm may be found in the high alpine.

On Thursday, around 5 to 10 cm of snow may accumulate at treeline elevations over a wet snowpack. For alpine elevations, 10 to 20 cm of snow may accumulate by the end of Thursday. Southeast wind may create deeper deposits in lee terrain features.

Use extreme caution when travelling, as buried obstacles are a real threat.

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow in the alpine and rain below. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level dropping from 2000 m to 1300 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow at treeline and rain below. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Friday

Sunny. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
• If it's deep enough to ride, it's deep enough to slide (avalanche).
• Be cautious of buried obstacles, especially below treeline.