Avalanche forecast

North Columbia

Apr 9 – 10, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Recent snow and wind have created reactive wind slabs in lee features.

Back off slopes if the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures and sun exposure.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Expect reactive wind slabs in lee terrain.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wet loose avalanches may be reactive to human triggers on sun exposed slopes.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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

A few very small rider-triggered wet loose avalanches were observed on Wednesday on steep sun-exposed slopes.

On Tuesday, small wind slabs were human-controlled near ridgecrests at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of snow overlies a widespread crust from previous warm temperatures and sun up to 2100 m.

A hard crust is buried 30 to 70 cm deep, but may remain exposed in wind-scoured alpine terrain. It extends up to at least 1500 m in the Rockies, and 2000 m in the Cariboos.

Below the crust, the snowpack is strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clear skies. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Friday

Sunny. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds. 2 mm of rain at treeline. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.



More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

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