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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 7th, 2025–Apr 8th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Clemina, Renshaw, Robson.

New and reactive wind slabs are forming at upper elevations on north-facing terrain.

Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing or cracking beneath your feet.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, explosive control at upper elevations (northerly aspects) triggered cornices up to size 2.5. Some of these large cornice chunks triggered thin slabs on the slope below, and one triggered a deeper slab on the March persistent weak interface.

In the past week, there have been several recent cornice falls triggering very large persistent slabs in this region.

NOTE: Observations in this region are currently very limited.

Snowpack Summary

On the surface, up to 30 cm of recent snow exists on northerly aspects above 2600 m. Solar aspects continue to hold a melt freeze crust and at lower elevations on all aspects will present as moist snow.

Below this, a 5 to 25 cm crust from the late March rain event is present. This is capping a moist upper snowpack.

The primary weak layer of concern is a surface hoar, facet, and crust layer from early March, buried 60 to 120 cm deep.

The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level falling to 1500 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with flurries 2 to 10 cm. 15 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2500 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 elevation and sun exposure.

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.