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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 17th, 2026–Apr 18th, 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 and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Rockies, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

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 warming will affect the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

As strong westerly winds increased on Thursday, several natural wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed from alpine terrain. Cornices were actively growing as well. (See MIN here)

Strong sun and warming on Saturday will increase the likelihood of both natural and human-triggered avalanches. Be increasingly cautious as the snowpack warms up and weakens.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 50 cm of recent storm snow either sits on a melt-freeze crust at upper elevations or wet snow lower down. In exposed areas, the new snow has been redistributed by strong westerly winds.

A weak layer of facets above a hard crust is buried 50 to 70 cm deep. This layer hasn't produced avalanches since last week's warm weather.

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

The snowpack continues to melt at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Saturday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Sunday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Think carefully about your exit plan from the backcountry because avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
  • Travel early on sun-exposed slopes before cornices weaken with daytime warming.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.

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.