Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 7th, 2026–Apr 8th, 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.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Solar radiation will be a driver for avalanche hazard as recent storm snow sees clear skies for the first time.

Be aware of changing conditions and back off steep slopes if the surface is moist.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday a large, size two avalanche was triggered by a snowmobile. The release was in an open alpine feature and may have involved a weak layer down 75 to 150 cm.

On Monday, the field team observed a recent natural size 1 wind slab avalanche.

Going forward, sunny clear skies will likely initiate a wet loose cycle as recent storm snow sees sun for the first time.

Snowpack Summary

Sunny skies and continued northwest winds are creating variable surface conditions:

At upper elevations above 1400 m, up to 20 cm of storm snow that has been redistributed by strong northwest winds.
At treeline and below roughly 5 to 7 cm of dry snow overlies moist and/or refrozen surfaces.
On solar-facing slopes recent storm snow is being impacted by the sun and becoming moist.

The most recent storm snow overlies wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain and faceted snow in sheltered terrain.

A thick crust with faceted snow from late January can be found at a wide range of depths, from 75 to 150 cm.

We do not have concerns about the snowpack below this layer.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Thursday

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

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.

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.

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.