Vancouver Island

Newly formed wind slabs may be found in exposed terrain at higher elevations. Continually monitor conditions as you travel, and assess how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Low

• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
• We are uncertain whether the wind will be enough to form new wind slabs.

No new avalanches have been reported recently, but observations have been very limited.

By Saturday morning, 15-30 cm of new snow may be found at higher elevations. This new snow buries a widespread melt-freeze crust which exists on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain where the new snow is burying old storm snow from earlier this week.

The remainder of the snowpack is moist to ground.

The snowpack depth at treeline ranges from 85 to 130 cm, there is very little snow below treeline.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 600 m.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Sunday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.