Vancouver Island Avalanche Bulletin

Vancouver Island Avalanche Bulletin

Date Issued: Wednesday December 17, 2008

Valid Until: Sunday, December 21, 2008

Bulletin Area: This bulletin covers the mountainous region of Vancouver Island from the Mt. Cain Ski Area in the North to the Beaufort range to the South including the mountains of Strathcona Provincial Park.
Date Issued: Wednesday December 17, 2008

Valid Until: Sunday, December 21, 2008

Bulletin Area: This bulletin covers the mountainous region of Vancouver Island from the Mt. Cain Ski Area in the North to the Beaufort range to the South including the mountains of Strathcona Provincial Park.

DANGER RATINGS

Weather: Two storms tracking quite far south and freezing levels at sea level have left varying depths of snow in the island mountains. Observations to date are very limited. At time of writing Mount Washington has approximately 60cm of snow at tree line. Some parts of the island mountains have had more than this and some less. Given the cold arctic air, the snow that has fallen is of low density all the way to sea level.

Travel advisory: Below tree line the snow pack is below threshold levels with terrain poking through the low density snow. The main hazard at these elevations will be hitting rocks, stumps etc. At tree line and in the alpine with moderate to strong winds having moved the snow and larger accumulations further south in the island mountains, windslabs will exist and avalanches are a possibility. Be particularly cautious on slopes lee to the winds and in areas of smooth ground cover. As always be aware of terrain traps. With the very low density snow, partially hidden obstacles are also a very real hazard in the alpine and at tree line.

Snowpack: Very limited observations. 40-80cm of low density snow. Below threshold below tree line. Wind slabs are likely at and above tree line. Some faceting has been observed previous to the latest snow fall.

Outlook: 20 to 40 centimeters of new snow and moderate to strong winds are forecast for late Saturday and into Sunday.

Confidence: Fair. Very limited observations of the snow pack to date. Also predicting snowfall amounts in the current situation of strong arctic air is difficult. We could get less or much more snow.

Are you traveling in the island back country?

Send our forecasters your observations. We are particularly interested in hearing if you have observed avalanche activity or If you or a member of your party has been involved in an avalanche. Email your observations to the Island Alpine Guides Avalanche Bulletin.

Important Notice: This is a regional forecast and significant variation may exist within the forecast area. The information and danger ratings are intended as a trip planning aid for recreational, backcountry users of avalanche terrain; they are not meant to be used as the sole factor in determining the avalanche danger presented by a specific slope. Always include local weather, snowpack and avalanche observations in your decision to travel in avalanche terrain. Observations and experience may lead to different conclusions from what is reported or recommended. See disclaimer for further details. The technical data used to produce these bulletins is obtained from a variety of sources, including local ski areas and remote weather resources.

December 18th, 2008 | Category: Current Condition |  Print This Post | Subscribe to comments | Both comments and pings are currently closed