Avalanche forecast

Vancouver Island

Mar 24 – 25, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable

Highlights

Use conservative terrain selection.

New snow sees warming or rain for the first time, rapidly destabilizing the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Storm snow and strong southwest winds have formed reactive storm slabs. Expect to find deeper and more reactive deposits on north and east aspects, where the wind has loaded lee slopes.

    Cornices also exist due to these winds.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Rain up to 2500 m and warm temperatures will rapidly destabilize the snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We expect avalanches will remain easy to trigger with snowfall, rain, and warming.

On Sunday, sluffing was reported at Mt Washington.

On Saturday, storm, wind, and wet loose avalanches were reported near Mt Arrowsmith up to size 2. See this MIN for more details.

Snowpack Summary

Above 2000 m, 50 cm of storm snow has been redistributed by strong south winds, so deeper deposits exist on north- and east-facing slopes. The surface is expected to become moist even at upper elevations on Tuesday. Below 2000 m, upwards of 50 mm of rain has soaked the upper snowpack.

A robust crust, formed in early March, can be found in the mid-pack. The snow above is well bonded to this crust.

Below this, the snowpack is well consolidated and strong.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 10 to 15 mm, falling as snow above 2000 m. 60 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 2 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with trace precipitation. 50 to 60 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level rises to 3000 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with trace precipitation. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 9 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 25 to 50 mm, falling as snow above 1500 m. 60 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection and resist venturing into complex terrain.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.

Regions covered