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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 18th, 2026–Apr 19th, 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 and human triggered avalanches likely.
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

Dogtooth, East Purcell, West Purcell.

Strong sun and warming will increase the likelihood of both natural and human-triggered avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
  • We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, explosives triggered a size 2 storm slab and a few other storm slab naturals were also observed, most on north to northeast aspects around 2500 m. Riders were also able to initiate loose dry sluffing in steep terrain.

On Wednesday and Thursday, storm slabs up to size 2 were triggered by riders, explosives, or failed naturally; slabs were 30 to 50 cm thick.

Please consider submitting a MIN to let us know what you're seeing out there.

Snowpack Summary

Sun and rising freezing levels will turn snow moist during the day, warm temperatures overnight will limit crust developement.

At higher elevations, 20 to 60 cm of recent snow sits on moist snow below treeline or a hard melt-freeze crust in the alpine. Some areas may have facets on this crust; field data is limited, so investigate in your area.

A thick crust from mid-March is 30-80 cm deep, which extends up to about 2400 m. Near Invermere, a weak layer of facets may be found above this crust.

Facets are found near the bottom of the snowpack in shallow alpine snowpack areas. The lower snowpack is strong in deep snowpack areas.

Check out this Conditions Update for tips on managing the current spring conditions.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Monday

Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

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.

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.

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.