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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2026–Apr 14th, 2026

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Lizard-Flathead, Purcells, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla.

Watch for changing conditions over the day. Storm snow may be reactive to human triggers, particularly in wind affected features.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
  • We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.

Avalanche Summary

Small loose wet avalanches have been reported this week. Moving forward we expect new snow to be triggerable by riders, and continue to be suspect of large, overhanging cornices.

Observations from this region are very limited. Please consider submitting a MIN to let us know what you're seeing out there.

Snowpack Summary

By Tuesday afternoon, up to 20 cm of snow is possible at higher elevations across the Fernie area, southern Purcells, and southern Selkirks (near Nelson). Elsewhere, 5-10 cm is expected. Deeper deposits are expected to form in north and east facing terrain features. New snow likely sits over a moist upper snowpack or a crust.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled and strong in most areas, with numerous crusts throughout. Snowpack depth tapers rapidly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline, favouring the east of this region. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow across most of the region. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

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.