Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 29th, 2025–Mar 30th, 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 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

Blue River, Clearwater, Premier, Clemina.

Persistent weak layers in the snowpack have the potential to produce large avalanches.

In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, numerous naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were reported on solar aspects at all elevations.

NOTE: Observations in this region are currently very limited.

Snowpack Summary

Recent convective snowfall has been highly variable, accumulating over a crust in most areas except shady aspects in the high alpine where soft or wind affected dry snow may be found.

The primary weak layer of concern is a surface hoar, facet, and crust layer from early March, buried 50 to 100 cm deep. While its distribution and sensitivity remain uncertain, it has been highly reactive in the neighbouring Monashee regions.

The lower snowpack is likely strong and bonded in most areas.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies. 5 to 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Sunday

Sunny. 5 to 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.