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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 12th, 2025–Apr 13th, 2025

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

Regions

Cariboos, North Rockies, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Clemina, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Reactive wind slabs still exist at higher elevations, with potential to step down to buried weak layers.

Wind has varied throughout the region; assess your local conditions as you travel.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Widespread natural wind slab activity was reported on Friday from strong westerly winds. Several were observed to have stepped down to buried weak layers, producing avalanches to size 3.5. Cornice falls were also observed as triggers.

Snowpack Summary

Upper elevations hold wind affected surfaces. A crust likely exists on the surface on south facing slopes to mountain top, and on all aspects below 1900 m.

A layer of surface hoar, facet, and crust layer is buried 60 to 120 cm deep. Recent avalanches have likely stepped down to this layer, it also remains a possibility for triggering with heavy loads like cornice falls.

The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level drops to valley bottom.

Sunday

Mostly clear skies with 20 to 30 km/h westerly ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing levels reach 2000 m.

Monday

Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing levels reach 2200 m.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy with flurries. 40 to 50 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing levels reach 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.

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.