Avalanche forecast

Vancouver Island

Feb 5 – 6, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

We haven't had eyes up high in a while now so we have uncertainty about conditions in the alpine. If you find a way up there, let us know on the Mountain Information Network!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    At high elevations where enough dry snow has accumulated, we suspect you could find triggerable pockets of wind slab on various aspects due to recent shifting winds.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

A crust continues to freeze and thicken over a wet snowpack. Above 1300 m, this crust may be dusted with a layer of dry snow, and (we suspect) up to 30 cm deep in the alpine.

Below treeline, the snowpack has melted out almost entirely, leaving it below threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Clear. Southeast ridgetop wind 20-30 km/h. Treeline temperature around -5 °C. Freezing level around 900 m.

Monday

Mostly sunny. East ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Tuesday

Sunny then increasing cloud in the afternoon. West ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature around -1 °C. Freezing level around 1100 m.

Wednesday

A few cm of snow overnight then a mix of sun and cloud. Northwest ridgetop wind 40-50 km/h. Treeline temperature around -3 °C. Freezing level around 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Regions covered