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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 10th, 2025–Apr 11th, 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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Reactive wind slabs may exist at treeline and in the alpine.Approach ridgelines with caution, and begin with a conservative route plan. Cracking and whumpfing are signs of instability.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, two human-triggered slab avalanches (size 2 and a size 3) were reported in the Selkirks. These were on north through northeast slopes at 2400 m. These may have failed on a buried surface hoar layer down 30 to 70 cm. The size 2 was a remote trigger from 20 away.

A few natural storm slabs were seen up to size 2 and wet loose up to size 3.

On Friday, reactive wind slabs at treeline and above are likely on north through east aspects.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 35 cm of recent storm snow exists at treeline and above with high northeast facing slopes seeing deeper accumulations due to wind transport. Moist snow exists up to 2200 m on polar aspects and to ridgetop on solars.

Below the recent storm snow (2300 m and above) is a buried surface hoar layer from early April. This has been reactive to human triggering on high north through east-facing slopes. A buried melt-freeze crust also exists and extends to the ridgetop on solar aspects and near 2400 m on polar aspects.

The late March rain crust is now down 80 to 100 cm. This buried crust is capping a moist upper snowpack.

Weak layers buried in early March, February and January are now down anywhere from 150 cm to 250 cm.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mainly cloudy with snow 5 to 15 cm. 25 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level falling to 1300 m.

Friday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods and flurries up to 10 cm. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 gusting to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • 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.