Vancouver Island

Human trigged avalanches are very likely.

If you do head out in the backcountry, you need to be able to avoid avalanche terrain and diligently manage your exposure to overhead hazard.

It's not done yet! Snowfall will continue overnight, with lesser amount into Monday. Another spike in snowfall is expected overnight on Monday, with areas south of Strathcona and Mount Washington looking like the hotspot.

Sunday Overnight: Snowfall will become lighter, another 10-25 cm of accumulation expected overnight with heaviest amount in Strathcona. Freezing levels lowering to around 500m by early morning. Strong southwest winds continue, easing into the light to moderate range in the early morning in some areas.

Monday: A brief clearing in the morning for the Mount Washington and Northeast side of the island. Elsewhere, continued snowfall with 2-20 cm of accumulation, with the least accumulation expected around Mt Washington. Freezing levels around 500m, moderate to strong southwest winds in the alpine. Snowfall increasing overnight, with up to 25 cm expected in southern areas.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud with light snowfall, trace to 10 cm of accumulation. Freezing levels around 400m, winds moderate to strong from the west. 

Wednesday: A quieter day. Light snowfall, up to 3 cm accumulation. Light westerly winds. Freezing levels near valley bottom with alpine temperatures around -9. Cloud cover increasing into the afternoon as another pacific system approaches. 

With heavy snowfall, high wind, and warming temperatures overnight we expect a widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred overnight. Human triggered avalanches will be likely in these conditions. In you do see any avalanche activity, please let us know by submitting to the Mountain Information Network! ?

Yesterday, a significant storm impacted the region bringing upwards of 60 cm of new snow. Snowfall and wind will continue into today with another 10-30 cm of accumulation.

In open areas, strong southerly winds will continue to create deep deposits of wind slab in lee features. In sheltered areas the new snow is forming a touchy storm slab or loose dry avalanche problem where it is falling on an inherently weak layer formed from prolonged cold temperatures over the past week. 

This weak drought layer is comprised of near surface faceting and in isolated areas at treeline and below surface hoar. In many areas these weak crystals are sitting on a firm bed surface of hard, wind effected snow, old windslabs, or a thin rime crust.

The midpack contains a variety of crusts from early and mid December that overly the thick Dec 7th crust. The lower snowpack is generally strong and well bonded. Snowpack depth at treeline ranges from 100-250 cm, with deepest amounts in Strathcona. 

• Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
• Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
• Stick to simple terrain and be aware of what is above you at all times.
• Be alert to conditions that change throughout the day.
• Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.