Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 2nd, 2024–Apr 3rd, 2024

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, 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.

Regions

Cariboos, North Rockies, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Tumbler.

Watch for blowing snow forming wind slabs in Alpine and open treeline terrain.

Scale back your objective if you find signs of instability like shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network).

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds have likely formed deeper, more reactive deposits on leeward terrain in the alpine and wind exposed treeline. 20 to 40 cm of recent snow sits on a hard, frozen crust except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on old, dense, wind-affected snow.

Below 1500 m, moist surfaces will start to get crusty or covered by snow as the freezing level drops.

A layer of weak faceted snow above a hard crust that formed in early February is buried about 50 to 120 cm deep. This layer is generally getting stronger, and is shielded by crusts above it. It has not produced any recent avalanches.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy, possibly clear in the northern end of the forecast area. Light to moderate rain expected, 10-20 cm of snow possible above 1500 m. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level dropping to between valley bottom and 1000 m.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy. Light to moderate west or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. No new snow expected. Light northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -3 °C.

Friday

Sunny. No new snow expected. Light northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.

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.