Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 17th, 2025–Apr 18th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, North Rockies, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Clemina, North Monashee, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

High temperatures and strong sunshine will weaken the snowpack.

Avoid overhead exposure to cornices, and steep south facing slopes in the heat of the day.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, a small, rider-triggered wind slab was reported from north-facing terrain. Otherwise, reports are limited at this time of year.

With rapid warming expected, avalanche activity is likely to increase.

Snowpack Summary

Dry snow lingers over crust on high north-facing slopes. Wind affected surfaces exist elsewhere at high elevations, from variable winds throughout the region. Surface snow is expected to be moist from sun and warm temperatures.

The mid to lower snowpack is generally well-settled, with old weak layers buried 50–200 cm deep. Large triggers like cornice collapses could still trigger these layers, especially on high, shaded north-facing slopes.

Below treeline slopes are melting fast and generally below threshold for avalanche activity. Watch for stumps, rocks and open creeks.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clear skies. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing level rises overnight, to 3000 m.

Friday

Increasing cloud with 5 mm of rain towards the end of the day. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature reaches +9 °C. Freezing level begins at 3000 m and drops to 2000 m over the day.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with flurries. 30 to 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1500 m. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 30 to 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1500 m. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
Triggering deep layers is more likely if the snow surface didn't freeze overnight.
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.

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.