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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 18th, 2025–Apr 19th, 2025
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Verify that conditions are safe before entering committing slopes & remain cautious when travelling on or under corniced ridges and sunny slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, explosive control near Whistler triggered a size 2.5 cornice failure.

On Thursday, a naturally triggered cornice fall triggered a size 2 wet slab near Whistler.

Numerous recent natural loose wet avalanches up to size 2 were reported from all aspects at treeline and above. They all occurred later in the afternoon during peak daytime warming.

Looking forward: With cooling and more cloud in the forecast, we expect avalanche activity to decrease.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is generally well-settled and strong, although dormant weak layers may still exist in shallow inland areas like the Duffey and Chilcotin.

A typical spring diurnal cycle is underway. High freezing levels and sun melt the surface during the day, turning it moist or wet. Nightime cooling then refreezes the surface, forming a crust.

Dry snow may persist only in the highest shady north-facing terrain. Lower elevations are melting out rapidly.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature low +1 °C. Freezing level 2500 m, dropping to 1700 m.

Saturday

Partly cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level around 1700 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries to 5 cm. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 25 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Periods of low danger may be a good time to increase your exposure.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • Travel early on sun-exposed slopes before cornices weaken with daytime warming.
  • Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Cornices

Recent large natural and explosive-triggered cornice failures have occurred. Cornices are large this time of year and can surprise you by breaking further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

Remain extra cautious on sun-exposed slopes during the warmest parts of the day if the snow surface is wet.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5