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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2026–Apr 22nd, 2026

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, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Moyie, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Avalanche danger will rise through the day with warming and light rain

Conditions will deteriorate sooner than expected if a strong crust does not form overnight. Plan your trip accordingly

Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.
  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

We suspect natural loose wet avalanches will continue on steep, sun-exposed slopes during the afternoons, with a possibility of occasional cornice failures as well. Isolated wind slabs may be primed for human triggering on high north-facing slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Rising freezing levels and strong sun will weaken the snowpack throughout the day.

A melt-freeze crust may exist on the surface on all but north facing alpine terrain, where 10 to 30 cm of dry snow sits atop a crust. Lower elevation areas below treeline may not experience an overnight refreeze and remain moist or isothermal.

A weak layer of facets above a hard crust is buried 50 to 70 cm deep. This layer hasn't produced avalanches in over a week.

Facets exist at the base of the snowpack in shallow areas.

Weather Summary


Tuesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 9 °C. Freezing level 3500 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 15 mm of rain at treeline starting midday. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.



More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche danger will increase as the surface crust breaks down.
  • Think carefully about your exit plan from the backcountry because avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

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.

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.