Regions
Vancouver Island.
No new avalanches observed or reported at this time.
Past Weather
Consistent air temperatures reaching the double digit mark on the island's mountain ranges and a consistent Freezing level near 3,000 Meters of elevation. Clear skies and light winds have contributed to a great deal of reduction in snow volume across Vancouver Island.
Weather Forecast
Slightly cooler air temperature trend over the next several days (hovering near 2,200M for the next several days. Looking ahead to next weekend, we could see a further reduced Freezing Level and possible precipitation in the form of snow and rain at mid-mountain. Monday: No new precipitation, Winds light from the East (possible moderate Easterly gusts in afternoon, Freezing level steady around 2,200 meters Temps at 1500 meters up to +6 degrees.Tuesday: No new precipitation, Winds light from the North (gusting to Moderate from North in afternoon), Freezing level steady at 2,200 meters. Temps at 1500 meters up to + 6 degrees.Wednesday: No new precipitation, Winds light from the North (gusting to Strong North winds in afternoon at the North end of forecast region) , Freezing level steady at 2300 meters. Temps at 1500 meters +7 degrees.
Terrain Advice
Please respect the current closures at Mount Washington, no access is permitted at anytime on the ski areas slopes or terrain.During periods of intense warming and sunshine, avoid solar facing terrain.Avoid travelling both above and below cornices.Early starts may help to ensure you can accomplish your trip objective prior to arrival of day time high’s when the snowpack will become increasingly more unstable.Major concern remains with the fact that no below freezing temperatures are taking place on Vancouver Island’s mountain ranges overnight. Expect continued destabilization within the layers that exist within the upper snowpack.Possibility of isothermal snow may make for extremely challenging and dangerous travel as snow may readily collapse under an individual’s weight.
Snowpack Summary
Double digit air temperatures, coupled with strong sun and limited winds are reducing the overall mountain snowpack volume on Vancouver Island. The weather pattern will see some cooling however air temperatures will continue to melt snow (most notably on solar facing terrain.
Snowpack Details
- Surface: Melting snow surface and isothermal snow at Below Treeline elevation band
- Upper: Wet and dense/moisture laden snowpack. Possibly destabilized layers as a result of melt water percolating and exacerbating interface instabilities
- Mid: Wet and dense/moisture laden snowpack. Possibly destabilized layers as a result of melt water percolating and exacerbating interface instabilities
- Lower: Well settled and dense.
Confidence
Moderate - No below freezing air temps in sight for next several days. Solar Aspects remain main concern with day time heating. Avalanche danger ratings reflect the highest danger level expected over the course of the day.
Problems
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.
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.