Vancouver Island

High freezing levels and rain are diminishing current snow supply on all but the highest elevation terrain.

Travel with extra caution, as buried obstacles lurk just below the snow surface.

The limited number of reports we have received have not described any avalanches. Considering the shallow and dense snowpack, avalanche activity is unlikely but would be limited to steep slopes with enough snow to cover rocks, logs, and shrubs.

If you head into the mountains, please share any observations or photos on the MIN.

Snow depth varies rapidly with elevation. There is no snow below 1000 m, about 20 to 40 cm at treeline, and up to 80 cm in the high alpine. A wet, dense snow surface exists up to at least 2000 m. Above 2000 m, a dusting of snow sits on a hard melt-freeze crust.

Overall, the snowpack is strong without any concerns.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 10 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 25 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.