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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 16th, 2026–Apr 17th, 2026

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

Regions

Dogtooth, East Purcell, West Purcell.

Investigate how the new snow is bonding to the underlying crust.

A weak layer of facets has been observed on the crust in neighbouring regions.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, west of Invermere, several small storm slabs failed naturally during the storm.

On Wednesday, there were a few natural and rider-controlled wind slabs and two that were remotely triggered by a helicopter. They were all small avalanches (size 1-1.5).

Looking towards Friday, riders could trigger newly formed wind slabs at higher elevations.

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

Snowpack Summary

20 to 60 cm of snow has fallen in the last three days. This new snow sits on moist snow below treeline or a hard melt-freeze crust in the alpine. Some areas may have weak facets on this crust; information is limited at this time of year, so investigate in your area.

A thick crust from mid-March is 30-60 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.

The snowpack continues to melt at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Mostly clear skies. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Saturday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Sunday
Sunny. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • 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.
  • Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.

Problems

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.

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.