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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2025–Apr 6th, 2025

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

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus.

Forecast snow and wind will form fresh storm slabs most reactive to human triggers in wind affected terrain at upper elevations.

Avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, a size 2 cornice fall was reported near Whistler.

Forecast snow and wind are expected to form reactive storm slabs on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Forecast 15 to 25 cm of snow (above 1500 m) on Sunday will form fresh storm slabs. They will be sitting on either moist snow or a crust everywhere except north facing slopes in the alpine where they will overlie a mix of dry snow and surface hoar. The storm slabs are expected to be most reactive in wind affected terrain at upper elevations.

Old persistent weak layers may still exist 1 to 3 m deep on high north-facing slopes.

The snowpack thins quickly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Sunday

15 to 25 cm snow above 1500 m, rain below. Another 15 to 25 cm snow overnight. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m. and lowering throughout the day.

Monday

Cloudy with flurries, 5 to 10 cm of snow above 1000 m. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche danger is expected to to increase throughout the day, think carefully about your exit plan from the backcountry.
  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.