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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2025–Apr 6th, 2025

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

Regions

North Rockies, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Tumbler.

Warm temperatures and strong sun will increase the likelihood of falling cornices and wet loose avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a few natural and rider-triggered triggered size 1-2 wind slabs were reported on southerly aspects in the alpine.

NOTE: Observations in this region are currently very limited.

Snowpack Summary

On the surface, up to 20 cm of recent snow exists on northerly aspects in the alpine. Solar aspects and lower elevations will sport a crust or moist snow.

Below this, a 5 to 25 cm variable strength crust from last week's rain event is present. This is capping a moist upper snowpack.

A persistent weak layer from early March, 40 to 80 cm deep, most likely exists as surface hoar on sheltered north and east aspects in the alpine. Its distribution is variable, and there have been no substantial reports of recent avalanches, but it should still be considered when evaluating slopes.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to +3°C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Sunday

Sunny with increasing cloud cover in the afternoon. Possible light flurries or showers 2-4 cm. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C. Freezing level rising to 3000 m.

Monday

Cloudy, 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy, 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.