Regions
Vancouver Island.
No new avalanches reported over the past several days.
Past Weather
Mild temps have promoted consolidation however rain and above zero degree air temperature have developed a series of crusts within the upper 50cm of the snowpack which could provide facet development should a cold air mass creep onto the island in the coming weeks.
Weather Forecast
Monday: No precipitation expected, Winds Light from the NorthWest, Freezing level will reach a high of 1600 meters.Tuesday: 2-4cm Snow (possible rain/wet flurries at Below Treeline Elevation band), Winds Moderate from the SW increasing to Strong SW mountain top winds in the afternoon, Freezing level will reach a high of 1150 meters.Wednesday: No precipitation expected, Freezing level 800M elevation
Terrain Advice
Be cognizant of snow conditions and utilize small slopes to test and investigate snowpack stability prior to stepping out into large slopes.Careful and cautious route finding when transitioning from scoured areas into areas of wind loaded snow. Avoid traveling below and above cornice features as they are large and touchy.Avoid open and steep slopes during periods of warming and rain; even small loose wet avalanches will have enough mass to push a mountain traveler into gullies and over cliffs.
Snowpack Summary
A series of fluctuating air temperatures have created an array of upper snowpack melt freeze crusts and rain crusts all within the upper 40-50cm of the snowpack. Within 5-10 cm of the upper surface, a relatively supportive crust exists and at the Below Treeline elevation band this crust is exceptional dense and firm and provides challenging ski/snowmobile conditions until it softens with day time heating.
Snowpack Details
- Surface: 10-40 cm of melt freeze and rain crusts
- Upper: well settled and bonded due to mild air temp and general "rounded" high density snow properties
- Mid: well settled that includes a possible Facet persistent weak layer however the snowpack above is well bridged and supportive
- Lower: Well settled and dense.
Confidence
High - Need more information for the Alpine elevation band
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.