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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 4th, 2024–Apr 5th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, Blue River, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Clemina, Kakwa, Renshaw, Robson.

Put your guard up as you get into open, wind-affected terrain. Large natural and human-triggered wind slabs have occurred in the alpine in recent days.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, operators in the region reported natural and remotely triggered wind slabs up to size 2.5 on north and east aspects in the alpine. These large remotely triggered avalanches are a strong indicator of an unstable snowpack!

Similar activity may continue into Friday and riders should continue to avoid wind-loaded areas in the alpine and treeline.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations, 10 to 40 cm of recent snowfall has been redeposited by strong winds. Below this, a hard crust exists on all aspects and elevations, except on north-facing slopes over 2000 m.

A layer of weak faceted snow above a crust formed in early February is now buried 50 to 120 cm deep. This layer is generally getting stronger and is shielded by crusts above it. It has not produced any recent avalanches.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with clear periods. Ridge wind 15 to 30 km/h from the northeast. Treeline temperatures drop to -6 °C. Freezing level drops to valley bottom.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Ridge wind light from the north. Treeline temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 1800 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Ridge wind 15 to 30 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 1900 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with light flurries. Ridge winds 20 to 40 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.