Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 6th, 2026–Apr 7th, 2026

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

Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Recent storm snow and strong winds are creating reactive wind slabs at upper elevations.

Continually assess as you travel, and stick to conservative terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, the field team observed a recent natural size 1 wind slab avalanche.

Going forward, there is 15 to 20 cm of snow available for transport with 50 km/h northwest winds in the forecast. Wind slabs are likely building in some a-typical terrain and human triggering is likely.

Snowpack Summary

Dropping freezing levels, continued flurries and strong wind are creating variable surface conditions:

At upper elevations above 1400 m, up to 20 cm of storm snow that has been redistributed by strong northwest winds.
At treeline and below roughly 5 to 7 cm of dry snow overlies moist and/or refrozen surfaces.

The most recent storm snow overlies wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain and faceted snow in sheltered terrain.

A thick crust from late January can be found at a wide range of depths, from 75 to 150 cm. Where it is shallowest, facets are most likely to exist above it, and the more problematic it is expected to be.

We do not have concerns about the snowpack below this layer.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Wednesday

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at alpine and treeline elevations.
Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.