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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 21st, 2025–Mar 22nd, 2025
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Cariboos, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Quesnel, Renshaw, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.

Recent snow and forecast winds are expected to build fresh wind slabs.

Seek out soft snow with no wind effect at lower elevations for a combination of the best riding and lowest hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several naturally-triggered wind slabs have been reported across the region over the past few days, with some being triggered by collapsing cornices. They were generally in the size 1-2 range (small to large). Whumpfing and shooting cracks were also reported by skiers near McBride - see this great MIN for details.

With up to 10 cm of recent snow and moderate to strong winds in the forecast, there is good potential for wind slabs to be reactive on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow has accumulated since Thursday. Forecast southwesterly winds are expected to be building fresh wind slabs near and just below ridge crests at alpine and treeline elevations.

30 to 60 cm of snow rests on a weak layer from early March that is a hard melt-freeze crust, or surface hoar in wind-sheltered treeline areas. This layer remains a lingering concern.

A buried weak layer of surface hoar and/or faceted grains from mid-February lies 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer appears to be strengthening and has not triggered any recent avalanches.

The lower snowpack remains well-settled.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Partly cloudy with flurries of up to 3 cm possible. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, up to 15 cm coming Sunday night. 35 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Be cautious if you move into wind-affected terrain. Newly formed wind slabs are expected to be reactive to human triggers.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2