Monday 02 March, 2009
Vancouver Island Avalanche Bulletin

Date Issued: Monday, March 2, 2009

Valid Until: Thursday March 5, 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

OUTLOOK 		Tuesday 		Wednesday 		Thursday 	 
Alpine 			Considerable 	Considerable 	Considerable 	 
Treeline 		Considerable 	Moderate 		Moderate 	 
Below Treeline 	Moderate 		Low 			Low 	 

Confidence:

Good short term, fair to poor longer term.

Primary concerns:

A lot of new snow and wind making for widespread and deep soft and hard wind slabs in the 
alpine and at tree line.

Weather:

Our last system gave us from 40 to 100cm of snow in the alpine depending on location with 
the west coast getting the larger amounts and the east and north island getting less. Freezing 
levels rose to around tree line late morning to mid day Sunday dropping enough rain at tree 
line and below to soak the snow pack and cause some significant avalanche activity. Things 
are easing off now with only light snow in the forecast for Tuesday, and some clearing later 
Wednesday. Models are in disagreement for Thursday leaving the possibility of more snow or 
clearing. Winds will be light to moderate and variable in direction but mostly from the west.

Travel advisory:

Large amounts of new snow and moderate to strong winds in the alpine have left lee slopes 
heavily loaded with unstable new snow. Travel in avalanche terrain should only be considered 
by people with extensive training and experience. Things will settle out and bond as the week 
goes on but human triggered avalanches will still be probable in the alpine throughout the 
forecast period. Below tree line caution is advised with slipping on hard snow as the wet snow 
starts to freeze.

Snowpack:

40 to 100cm of unsettled new snow overlies previous surfaces above tree line. Significant winds 
will have moved considerably more snow into the lees leaving widespread hard and soft wind slabs 
of great depth. Below tree line is a different story with the snow having been soaked by rain 
on Sunday and freezing levels dropping to 1000m Tuesday and lower Wednesday, things will be 
locking up nicely below tree line.

Avalanche Activity:

Numerous natural and human triggered avalanches to size 1.5 have been reported, both wet snow 
and soft slabs. One snowboarder triggered size 2 has been reported outside the ski area boundary 
at Mount Washington. 85cm crown line 60 meters wide on a NE aspect 30 degree slope. This slide 
appears to have released on surface hoar from 22 February.

Outlook:

Light snow Tuesday and earlier Wednesday with accumulations of 10cm or less. Winds variable and 
light to moderate mostly from the west. Thursday is hard to predict and might be clear or may 
see more precipitation.

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.