Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Apr 16 – 17, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Very dangerous avalanche conditions are expected.

Avalanches may run into the valley bottom.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Wind slabs may remain reactive to riders. Avoid wind loaded areas.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Avoid travelling underneath cornices.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–4

    Buried weak layers have resulted in recent large avalanches. Warm temperatures are expected to make this worse.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, there were two large persistent slabs (size 2 and 3) in the alpine from northeast to northwest aspects. Failing on the March weak layers.

As well as several wind slabs to size 2, and numerous wet loose avalanches from solar slopes.

Large avalanches are expected to continue on Thursday. Potentially running below treeline to the valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40 cm of recent snow has fallen over various crusts which are found up to 1800 m, higher on sunny slopes. Southwest wind has redistributed soft snow in exposed areas, building slabs.

Three layers of note, currently exist in the mid-snowpack:

  • A layer of surface hoar and a crust that formed in mid-March is 50 to 80 cm below the snow surface.

  • Another layer of surface hoar that formed in early March buried 70 to 120 cm.

  • A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 120 to 200 cm deep.

The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 3000m.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

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