Regions
Vancouver Island.
Confidence
High - well aligned forecast models
Travel & Terrain Advice
Expect surface conditions to become a very hard slippery surface crust. All mountain travellers should consider the option to travel on slopes that minimize exposure to slips and falls and terrain traps such as cliffs.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural or explosive triggered avalanches
Snowpack Summary
Continued cooling has begun to solidify the upper surface snow forming a hard well bonded upper snow pack. Mid and lower snow-pack are well settled.
Snowpack Details
Surface: hard crust. Upper: moist and well settled. Mid: well settled. Lower: well settled.
Past Weather
A period of warm alpine temperatures and rain have been followed by clearing and cooling.
Weather Forecast
A strengthening arctic ridge of cold air to the east of the region will bring to the forecast area clearing sky, cooling temperatures and freezing level to seas level during the overnight period.Friday Clear, temps -3 to -6, winds light Nw, freezing level 900 m dropping to sea level overnight.Saturday Clear, temps -5 rising to +1, winds light Ne, freezing level 0 m rising to 900 m mid day.Sunday 5 mm of precipitation, temps - 8 to 0 , winds light to moderate Sw becoming Light Nw late in the afternoon, freezing level to 0 to 800 m.
Problems
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.