Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 23rd, 2021–Apr 26th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos.

Generally safe avalanche conditions this weekend may deteriorate into next week. Re-evaluate avalanche danger and ease into terrain cautiously after any big changes in the weather. This is the last forecast for the season. Thanks for the great winter and play safe! 

Confidence

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected. Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Friday night: Clear, light wind, alpine temperature near -5, freezing level valley bottom.

Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, alpine high near -5, freezing level 1700 m.

Sunday: Sunny, light wind, alpine high near -4, freezing level 1700 m.

Monday: Sunny, moderate southwest wind, alpine high near -2, freezing level 2000 m.

Avalanche Summary

Warm temperatures last week resulted in widespread wet loose avalanches and a few large (size 3) wet slab avalanches in the McBride area.

A cooling trend has made avalanche activity less likely going into the weekend. Isolated wind slabs and cornice falls are the primary concerns. 

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of recent snow may sit above a thick surface crust. The upper snowpack has undergone multiple melt-freeze cycles and is now crusty and refrozen in the cooler temperatures. Dry snow may still be found on northerly aspects above roughly 2300 m. 

We suspect older weak layers have gone inactive as the weather patterns over the past month have been favorable for strengthening the snowpack. That being said, we have very limited field observations to confirm this so make sure to back off if you notice signs of instability.

Terrain and Travel

  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Problems

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.