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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 27th, 2025–Mar 28th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

UPDATED AT 6:35 AM FRIDAY.

Precipitation amounts have backed off, but dangerous conditions are still expected above the rain-snow line.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, avalanche control teams near Courtenay conducted explosive cornice control and initiated a large (size 2.5) Cornice and loose wet avalanche.

Evidence of a widespread avalanche cycle up to size 3 was reported on Wednesday. The cycle happened early this week.

Snowpack Summary

New snow of up to 50 cm overlies a widespread crust found above 1100m. Below this elevation expect the upper snowpack to remain wet and unconsolidated with rain. New snow and strong south east wind will create deeper and more reactive slabs on north—and east-facing slopes, especially near ridge crests.

A robust crust, formed in early March, can be found in the mid-pack. The snow above is well bonded to this crust.

Below this, the snowpack is well consolidated and strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 cm falling as snow above 1000 m. 40 to 60 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 15 to 30 cm falling as snow above 1000 m. 50 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm falling as snow above 1000 m. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday

Clearing and Sun. No new precipitation. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

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.