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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 9th, 2025–Apr 10th, 2025

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

Regions

Sea To Sky, South Coast Inland, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

Danger will increase Thursday afternoon with the arrival of new snow and strong wind.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Natural storm slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported across the region on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the largest occurring on wind-loaded alpine slopes. A few size 1 human-triggered slabs were also observed. Cornice falls continue to be triggered with explosives.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine snowfall over the past week ranged from 50 cm near the coast (e.g., Squamish) to 10 cm inland (e.g., Chilcotin). This snow is heavily wind-affected and rests on wet snow and crusts. Another 15 to 25 cm of snow is expected Thursday afternoon.

Recent snowfall amounts taper off below 1800 m, and the snowpack is melting quickly in the valleys.

In shallower inland areas like the Duffey and Chilcotin, dormant weak layers from Feb and Mar are buried 50 to 150 cm deep, but they are not a concern at this time.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 15 to 25 cm of snow above 1500 m. 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.
  • 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.