Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2026–Apr 22nd, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, South Columbia, Blue River, Clearwater, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Shuswap, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Gold, North Okanagan, Whatshan.

A cooling trend is coming, but conservative terrain travel is warranted while the snow surface remains wet.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of warming will affect the snowpack.
We are uncertain due to rapidly changing freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous large (size 2 to 3) wind slabs were triggered by riders and naturally the past few days (e.g., this MIN). They released on northeast aspects in alpine terrain. Otherwise, many wet loose and slab avalanches released during warm weather on all aspects and at all elevations.

Looking forward, avalanche activity may decrease as cooler and cloudier weather arrives. Continue using caution around cornices and on sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day.

Snowpack Summary

Wet snow is found up to about 3000 m, which will slowly freeze into a melt-freeze crust as cooler weather arrives. The snow surface will remain wet during the day on sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong, with various thick melt-freeze crusts found in the upper to middle portions of the snowpack.

The snowpack continues to melt below treeline.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 mm of rain at treeline. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 3000 m dropping to 2500 m.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds with isolated flurries. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Friday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.

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.