Vancouver Island

Expect the sun to destabilize the upper snowpack, especially on steep south-facing terrain.
Wind loaded slopes in the alpine remain the most concerning.

High

• We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.

No recent avalanches have been reported.

If you are heading into the backcountry, consider sharing your observations and posting a MIN.

Mid weeks storm snow accumulations are variable and have likely created deeper zones on the north and west island. Expect all this new snow to become moist and rapidly settle once the sun comes out. This will be especially prevalent on steep south aspect terrain.

Past moderate to strong southwest winds created deeper, more reactive slabs in leeward terrain. Windward terrain has been stripped of snow and scoured down to a crust in many places.

Extending to the mountain tops, a widespread, thick and hard crust is now expected to be buried by 40-80 cm of snow, likely to have moist snow underneath.

The snowpack below the crust is well settled, strong and bonded with no layers of concern.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday
Mostly sunny. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.