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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 9th, 2025–Apr 10th, 2025

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

Regions

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

Reactive wind slabs may exist at upper elevations, especially on north through east facing terrain.

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

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, a natural wet loose avalanche was reported (size 2) from a northeast aspect in the alpine. The report indicated that the avalanche was several days old.

Reactive wind slabs may exist with new snow and moderate southwest winds, especially on north aspects in the alpine. Lower elevations may see wet loose and wet slab avalanche activity with rising freezing levels.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm exists at treeline and above. North aspects above 2200 m are holding dry snow. A surface crust has formed on all aspects at treeline and on solar aspect in the alpine. Below treeline is isothermal snow. This crust is likely to soften with rising freezing levels.

Below this, a 5 to 25 cm crust from last week's rain event is present. This is capping a moist upper snowpack.

A persistent weak layer from early March, 40 to 80 cm deep, most likely exists as surface hoar on sheltered north and east aspects in the alpine. Its distribution is variable, and there have been no substantial reports of recent avalanches, but it should still be considered when evaluating slopes.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear with some cloud and flurries up to 5 cm. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level falling to valley bottom.

Thursday

Cloudy with snow starting in the afternoon up to 10 cm. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries 5 to 25 cm. 25 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries up to 5 cm. 25 gusting to 45 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

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.