Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 7th, 2025–Apr 8th, 2025

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

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus.

Fresh & reactive storm slabs are forming above the snow/rain line at upper elevations.

Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural and human-triggered small wet loose avalanches were reported across the region over the past few days. Small, size 1 storm slabs were also ski cut near Whistler on Sunday at upper elevations.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 35 cm is forecast to fall above 1300 m overnight and through Tuesday, however freezing levels are uncertain and it's possible it will rain higher. The new snow will form storm slabs overlying either moist snow or a crust everywhere except north-facing slopes in the alpine, where they will overlie a mix of dry snow and surface hoar. The storm slabs are expected to be most reactive during their formation, and in wind-loaded terrain at upper elevations. Old persistent weak layers may still exist 1 to 3 m deep on high north-facing slopes. Triggering these layers is considered unlikely at this time. The snowpack thins quickly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow above 1300 m, possible rain below. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m, dropping to 1100 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm snow above 1100 m, possible rain below. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow above 1400 m, possible rain below. 20 to 25 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow above 1700 m, possible rain below. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for rapidly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

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.