Avalanche forecast

North Rockies

Apr 3 – 4, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Start and finish your day early. Warm temperatures and strong sun will increase the likelihood of falling cornices and small, surface avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Small wind slabs may exist in the alpine and are most likely to be triggered by strong sun or where they overlie a crust.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Warm temperatures and strong sun may cause large, destructive cornice failures.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wet loose avalanches are likely on steep solar slopes when the sun is strong.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a few natural and rider-triggered triggered size 1-2 wind slabs were reported on southerly aspects in the alpine.

NOTE: Observations in this region are currently very limited.

Snowpack Summary

On the surface, up to 20 cm of recent snow exists on northerly aspects in the alpine. Solar aspects and lower elevations will sport a crust or moist snow.

Below this, a 5 to 25 cm variable strength crust from last week's rain event is present. This is capping a moist upper snowpack.

A persistent weak layer from early March, 40 to 80 cm deep, most likely exists as surface hoar on sheltered north and east aspects in the alpine. Its distribution is variable, and there have been no substantial reports of recent avalanches, but it should still be considered when evaluating slopes.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridge top wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Friday

Mostly clear. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Sunday

Increasing cloud cover. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Regions covered