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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2025–Mar 27th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Boundary, Stewart, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Stick to low-angle terrain away from overhead hazard. Wind, warm temperatures, and a complex snowpack are causing multiple avalanche problems.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday and Tuesday, several natural persistent slab avalanches were reported up to size 3, several of which failed on the weak layer from early March. Some of these were triggered by cornice failures, and two were remotely triggered from up to 100 m away. Some natural wind slab avalanches were also observed.

On Sunday, a size 2 avalanche was rider-triggered on a northwest aspect in the alpine. This avalanche was believed to have occurred on the February drought layer.

Snowpack Summary

50 to 100 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by variable winds. This snow fell on previously wind-affected surfaces and crusts on steep south-facing terrain.

Three layers of concern currently exist in the upper-mid snowpack. Surface hoar that formed in mid-March can be found 65-85 cm below the snow surface. Below this, another layer of surface hoar that formed in early March can be found at a depth of 90 to 125 cm. Additionally, a layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 115 to 195 cm deep.

The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated, and there are no current concerns.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level dropping below 1400 m.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 30 to 60 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday

Partly cloudy. 30 to 60 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
  • Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

Problems

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.

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.