Vancouver Island

Carefully assess the wind effect as you gain elevation. Rider triggerable wind slab could form throughout the day.

Saturday night: no new snow expected. Moderate southwest winds and freezing levels falling to 900m.

Sunday: light precipitation bringing 5 to 10 cm of snow. Moderate to strong winds from the south and freezing levels around 1600 m.

Monday: light precipitation, trace amounts of snow, and light to moderate southwest winds. freezing level around 1300 m.

Tuesday: light snow throughout the day bringing up to 5 cm. Moderate to strong southwest winds and freezing levels around 1200m.

On Thursday our field team observed several loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 in the treeline and above. Ski cutting produced small wet slabs running on a crust down 15cm at 1100m.

up to 15 cm of recent snow has formed wind slab in exposed alpine terrain. Below this a 1 cm thick crust can be found up to 1400 m.

Another crust from late January exists down 30 to 50 cm that extends up to mountain tops. This crust is over 10 cm thick.

Moist snow surfaces can be found at and below treeline from rain and warm temperatures.

The mid and lower snow pack is well settled but shallow at low elevations leaving many hazards just below the surface.

• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.