Avalanche forecast

Vancouver Island

Feb 17 – 18, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Continue to assess the bond between new snow and the underlying crust. Wind slabs could be larger and more reactive if a poor bond is found.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    New snow and southwest wind may form wind slabs at treeline and above. The underlying crust may prevent wind slabs from bonding, resulting in larger and more reactive slabs but initial reports indicate that new snow is infact bonding well.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days. We suspect rider triggerable wind slabs could be found at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of new snow has fallen on a crust that likely extends to mountan tops on all aspects. Southwest winds have likely blown this new snow into wind slabs on north and east aspects in the alpine.

The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated and strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow expected. Light variable winds and a low of -5 at 1500m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Light westerly winds and a high of -3 at 1500m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with up to 5cm of new snow possible. Moderate to strong northwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1000m.

Sunday

Cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected. Light westerly winds and a high of -2 at 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Regions covered