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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2025–Apr 9th, 2025

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

Wind slabs may still be reactive at upper elevations.

Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation and aspect.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few natural and human-triggered wind and storm slab avalanches were triggered in the region on Monday. In most cases, they occurred on wind-loaded features and were in the size 1 to 2 range.

Several loose wet avalanches triggered by rain have also been observed in the region.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of recent snow overlies moist snow or a crust. Fresh wind slabs may remain reactive at upper elevations in wind-loaded terrain near ridgetops. Up to 10 cm of new snow is expected overnight, and freezing levels are uncertain, but currently the rain/snow line is expected to be around 1400 m.

Weak layers from February and March are buried 50 to 150 cm deep across the region. No recent avalanches have been reported on these layers, and they are considered dormant at this time. At lower elevations, the rain-saturated snowpack thins quickly with elevation.

For a detailed report of the snowpack, check out this excellent MIN post.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy, with up to 10 cm snow above 1400 m, possible rain below. 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1600 m dropping to 1000 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow above 1600 m, possible rain below. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.

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.

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.