Avalanche forecast

Vancouver Island

Jan 17 – 18, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 8 months ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Several days of above-freezing temperatures have allowed the snowpack to adjust and stabilize, and no significant weather changes are anticipated.

Confidence

High

  • Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. The snowpack has experienced several consecutive days and nights of warm temperatures, allowing it to adjust and stabilize.

Snowpack Summary

A strong, thick melt-freeze crust is present on the surface in most avalanche terrain. This crust is expected to weaken with daytime warming and increased solar radiation. Moist snow remains likely at lower elevations and within forested terrain.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally moist, uniform, and well-bonded.

Treeline snow depths are approximately 100 cm and continue to diminish with ongoing warm conditions.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 12 °C. Freezing level 3600 m.

Saturday
Sunny. 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 12 °C. Freezing level 3600 m.

Sunday
Sunny. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 12 °C. Freezing level 3600 m.

Monday
Sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 11 °C. Freezing level 3500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Regions covered