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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 17th, 2025–Apr 18th, 2025

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

Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Minimize exposure to cornices, warm temperatures and sun will weaken them

Rising temperatures may trigger wet avalanches on steep south slopes, especially with recent snow near the divide

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Size 1 to 2 wet loose avalanches occurred across the region during the warm, sunny weather on Sunday and Monday.

With rapid warming expected, avalanche activity is likely to increase.

Snowpack Summary

Wednesday’s storm delivered 10 to 20 cm of snow on top of a thick melt-freeze crust in the Rockies. The snowpack is generally well bonded, with no concerning layers, and continues to melt rapidly at lower elevations.

Dry snow exists over crust on high north-facing slopes. South facing slopes and lower elevations will become moist from sun and warm temperatures.

The snowpack is generally well bonded, with no concerning layers, and continues to melt rapidly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Freezing level drops to 500 m.

Friday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snowfall possible. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • 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.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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.