Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2025–Apr 9th, 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 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, 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 Monday, a natural wet loose avalanche cycle occurred up to size 2.

Reactive wind slabs likely exist in the alpine on north through east aspects. Wet loose avalanches are possible when on steep sunny slopes during the heat of the day.

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

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations, recent snowfall has deposited up to 20 cm of new snow, leading to a settling snowpack reaching up to 30 cm on northerly aspects above 2600 m. A surface crust has formed at and below treeline. However, this crust is likely to soften with daytime warming at lower elevations and extend into the alpine on slopes exposed to the sun.

Beneath this surface crust, a 5 to 25 cm crust from the late March rain event is present. A poor bond may exist between the new snow and this underlying crust.

A 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

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level falling to 1400 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with flurries 5 to 10 cm. 25 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 15gusting to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 2200 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.