Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2024–Apr 14th, 2024

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Blue River, Clemina, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive on lee features below alpine ridgetops.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Numerous naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were reported on sunny aspects on Friday.

Several natural and rider triggered wind slabs up to size 1.5 were also reported on northerly aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

High freezing levels and strong solar radiation have created moist snow on all aspects and elevations.

Up to 40 cm of recent snow has settled rapidly with intense solar radiation and warm temperatures.

Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive on lee features below alpine ridgetops.

A series of crusts exist in the upper snowpack.

Expect difficult travel at lower elevations with thin snow coverage.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 3 to 5 cm snow. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

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.