Vancouver Island Avalanche Bulletin

It's spring time. That means it's the time when the Vancouver Island avalanche bulletin ceases three times weekly bulletins.

Many thanks to all the great sponsors who have kept this bulletin going. If you appreciate the bulletin then please go to our sponsors page and pass your appreciations on to these fine community members that make it possible. Many thanks also to the board of the Vancouver Island Avalanche Centre and to all who volunteer.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the bulletin please contact us at forecaster@islandavalanchebulletin.com.

We will not issue further bulletins this spring unless we see a heightened hazard that compels us to issue an up date or warning. If you are planning spring trips do check back here to see if we have issued any updates or warnings and as always plan your trips carefully.

Below is some general advice for traveling in avalanche terrain at this time of year:

Spring avalanche danger patterns are generally quite predictable in that they relate largely to day time warming from rise in temperature and direct sun light.  Danger is generally lower early in the day when temperatures are cool, the sun is not yet affecting slopes or cornices above, and a strong supportive melt-freeze crust exists. Danger increases as temperatures rise, solar radiation intensifies, and surface snow becomes wet or slushy. If wet snow does not freeze overnight or if it's raining, hazard can be up at any time of day.

Watch for snow becoming wet and slushy to more than about 5cm depth, pinwheeling, snowballing and small loose, wet snow point releases out of steep terrain and at rock outcrops. When you see these signs be prepared to change your planned route to a shadier aspect which has not yet melted or if that is not available stay out of avalanche terrain. Remember that wet snow avalanches can occur on lower angled slopes of 25 degrees or less.

Always keep an eye on what is above you. There are still many big cornices in the island mountains that are primed to fail as temperatures rise. These very heavy pieces of snow are a powerful hazard in their own right but they can also trigger an avalanche even if the place that you are lower on the slope feels cool at the time.

There is still snow in the forecast. When it does snow look for amounts of 20 to 30cm or more and be aware that this snow may not bond well initially to underlying crusts. Also watch for wind transporting new snow and creating slabs of greater depth in the lees and in cross loaded features.

While getting out early is generally the rule of thumb it is worth considering that the snow tends to be hard first thing in the day and that exposure on steep slopes could result in nasty falls on hard snow which could be especially dangerous if there are consequences below. Remember that terrain traps such as cliffs and trees are a danger not only in avalanches!

If you are tripping in the island alps this spring please send your observations to us at forecaster@islandavalanchebulletin.com.

The Canadian Avalanche Centre has some good general advice for travel at this time of year with links to educational tools if you go HERE.