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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2025–Apr 9th, 2025

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

Regions

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

Fresh storm slabs have formed at upper elevations. Use caution on wind-loaded slopes near ridge top.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A size 1 storm slab was reported near Mt Cain on Monday.

Pin wheeling and small point releases were also observed.

Observations are currently very limited in the region. If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations, 10-30 cm of storm snow overlies a crust. Thicker deposits may exist on northern aspects near ridge top, especially on the West Island. At lower elevations, the snowpack is rain-soaked or moist.

The snowpack is strong and well-bonded, but melting out quickly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 2-5 cm snow, possible rain below 1000 m. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 1-3 cm snow, possible rain below 1300 m. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 20 to 40 mm of heavy rain, possible snow above 1500 m. Highest accumulation on the West Island. 60 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 2-8 cm snow above 1300 m, possible rain below. Highest amounts forecast for the West Island. 10 to 25 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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.