Avalanche forecast

North Columbia

Apr 4 – 5, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Start and finish your day early.

If you head up to high north-facing terrain in search of dry powder, avoid wind-loaded areas and overhead hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Up to 30 cm of recent snow has formed slabs in wind-loaded areas at upper elevations. These slabs have been most reactive where they overlie a crust.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Weak layers in the upper and mid snowpack may become more reactive with strong sun and warm temperatures.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wet loose avalanches are likely on steep solar slopes when the sun is strong.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a few large (size 2) wet loose avalanches where observed.

On Wednesday, a skier triggered a size 1 wind slab on a south aspect in the alpine that failed on a sun crust.

On Tuesday, a skier remotely triggered a size 3 slab avalanche from 40 m away. It failed in the moist snow below the crust formed last week.

Large natural cornice failures continue to be reported and are a prime suspect for triggering large persistent slab avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

On the surface, up to 30 cm of recent snow exists on northerly aspects in the alpine. Solar aspects and lower elevations will present a crust or moist snow.

Below this, a 5 to 25 cm variable strength crust from last week's rain event is present. This is capping a moist upper snowpack.

The primary weak layer of concern was buried in early March consisting of surface hoar, facets, and a crust is now 80 to 150 cm deep.

Deeper weak layers from February and January are buried 150 to 200 cm deep.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly clear. 5 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to +1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.

Sunday

Increasing cloud cover. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Monday

Increasing cloud cover. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

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