This Bulletin Valid Until: Sunday December 10th, 2017 @ 6 pm. 

Confidence: Moderate - Stable weather pattern, minimal alpine observations.

Main Concerns: (Avalanche problems)

Loose Wet -  Continued high temperatures and freezing levels combined with periods of light rain are likely/very likely to produce avalanches from small to large especially on solar aspects at all elevations.   

Travel/Terrain Advice: Spring-like conditions should persist through the forecast period. Avoid sunny slopes especially once the snow becomes moist or wet. Small loose wet avalanches have the potential for high consequences when travelling above cliffs or terrain traps. Watch for early season hazards such as exposed creeks, stumps, and tree wells especially below treeline.

Past Weather: Vancouver Island has seen a very stable weather pattern with little to no precipitation, light to moderate SE winds and temperatures ranging from -4oC to +12oC. Freezing levels have been above the highest of the peaks of the Island for the majority of the time.

Avalanche Summary: A few small loose wet avalanches at treeline and below treeline on exposed solar aspects. Small pinwheels forming.

Snow Pack Description:  

Surface - Thin unsupportive melt freeze crust on solar aspects at all elevation in the morning, becoming moist in the afternoon. In shaded areas snow remains cold.

Upper - Snow remains cold and supportive on all but the most solar of aspects at all elevations. Some light wind transport from the dominant SE winds at treeline and alpine forming small drifts and exposing crust on windward slopes.

Mid - Well settled crust complex.

Lower - Well settled.

Weather Forecast: Light precipitation for the weekend likely in the form of rain for all but the highest elevations. Temperatures and freezing levels will remain high with potential freezing levels of up to 3600 m with the persistent high pressure system. Temperature inversion with low level clouds and morning fog in coastal sections.

Fri - No new snow. Winds light to moderate S-SE                                                  

Freezing level to 1200-3500 m

Sat - 1-7 mm of precipitation. Winds moderate SE                      

Freezing level to 950-3100 m

Sun - 0-5 mm of precipitation.  Winds light to moderate SE                                           

Freezing level to 2500-3700 m

Prepared by Dan Goodwin