Regions
Vancouver Island.
Confidence
Moderate - no alpine snow pack observations and most obersvations limited to Eastern Central Vancouver Island.
Travel/Terrain Advice
Very high temperatures and freezing levels and no overnight freezing of upper snow pack will result in very moist to wet snow that provides little support to travelers. Be aware that even small loose wet avalanches can push one into or over terrain traps such as depressions, cliffs, and trees. There is potential for large to very large avalanches starting in treeline and alpine terrain to impact below treeline elevations. Use caution when crossing large avalanche paths in all elevations. Watch for early season hazards such as exposed creeks, stumps, and tree wells especially below treeline.
Past Weather
Vancouver Island has seen little to no precipitation, light to moderate SW through SE winds and temperatures ranging from -7oC to +6oC. Freezing levels across the forecast region have ranged from sea level to 2300 m.
Avalanche Summary
Loose wet avalanches at treeline and below treeline on exposed solar aspects with pinwheeling and tree bombs.
Snowpack Description
Surface - Thin unsupportive melt freeze crust on solar aspects at all elevation, in some shaded areas snow remains cold
Upper - Wind loaded pockets bonding moderately to an upper crust on NW-NE aspects at treeline and alpine. Scoured and pressed surface on windward slopes exposing the crust
Mid - Well settled crust complex
Lower - Well settled
Weather Forecast
Temperatures and freezing levels will remain high with potential freezing levels of up to 3600 m with the persistent high pressure system. Expect a temperature inversion for the duration of the forecast period with low level clouds and morning fog near the ocean.
Wed - No new snow. Winds light SE
Freezing level to 2800-3600 m
Thur - No new snow. Winds light to moderate SE
Freezing level to 2500-3600 m
Fri - No new snow. Winds light to moderate SE
Freezing level to 1200-3600 m
Problems
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
Wet Slabs
Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.