Vancouver Island

Small amounts of snow may bury early season hazards at high elevations. If you venture up to the snow, watch for stumps, creeks and rocks lurking below the surface.

No avalanches have been reported yet this season. With thin snow coverage, any activity would be limited to isolated slopes where there’s enough snow to cover rocks and ground roughness.

If you head into the mountains, please share any observations or photos on the MIN.

Snow depth varies rapidly with elevation. There is no snow below 1000 m, about 20–40 cm at treeline, and up to 80 cm in the high alpine. Snow surfaces will moisten with Monday's rain, and some areas may see a few cm's of fresh snow. Overall, the snowpack is strong and well-bonded.

Use caution when travelling, early-season hazards are prevalent.

Sunday Night
Cloudy. 20 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels may reach 3000 m overnight.

Monday
Cloudy. Precipitation begins as rain (possibly freezing rain) and switches to snow during the day, with a total forecast of 5-10 mm. Freezing levels spikes drop steadily over the day from 2500 m to 1500 m. Treeline temperature 1 °C. 40-60 km/h westerly ridgetop wind.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind, eases over the day to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 mm of rain at treeline. 20-40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• If it's deep enough to ride, it's deep enough to slide (avalanche).
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
• Be cautious of buried obstacles, especially below treeline.