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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 15th, 2026–Apr 16th, 2026

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

Regions

Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

The possibility of a large persistent slab avalanche means continuing to avoid large, steep, open slopes.

These avalanches may be hard to trigger, but the consequences would be serious.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday in the Seaton area, our field team saw evidence of a large (size 2.5) naturally triggered persistent slab avalanche on a south facing slope at 1800 m. It ran across the normal trail, and likely occurred on the weekend.

This continues the trend of persistent slab avalanches from late last week, including a remotely triggered size 3.

With little change in the weather, we expect that avalanches like these remain possible on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of recent snow is settling over a strong, supportive crust that is expected on the surface on all aspects at treeline and on all but north-facing terrain in the alpine.

A possible period of moderate northeast wind may be loading this loose snow onto crusty southwest facing slopes.

A layer of weak, sugary snow over a thick crust is buried 100 to 200 cm and continues to produce large, surprising avalanches.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind, increasing to 30 km/h through the night. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1100 m, possibly dropping to valley bottom for a short period early in the morning.

Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.