Vancouver Island Avalanche Bulletin

Vancouver Island Avalanche Bulletin

Date Issued: Monday 07 Deceber, 2009

Valid Until: Thursday 10 December, 2009

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

Confidence:

Good - Stable, predictable weather for the forecast period.

Snowpack information is still limited especially from the alpine. If you are in the mountains collecting information please forward this to our forecasters at info@islandalpineguides.com.

Weather:

Arctic air has been and will continue to be the dominant feature of our weather. Expect Freezing levels at or near sea level and little if any precipitation for the forecast period.

Travel advisory:

Avalanche hazard is not a concern under the current conditions. Beware of icy conditions and consider the consequences of a fall on the hard stuff especially with hazard below.

Snowpack:

The extended period of cold air is affecting the upper snow pack through temperature gradient metamorphosis. While this has no effect on avalanche hazard now watch this space for comment on this later as the cold period gives way to our next precipitation.

Outlook:

Continued cold dry conditions for the forecast period with little or no precipitation. Winds will ease.

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 Avalanche Bulletin forecasters at info@islandalpineguides.com

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.