Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Apr 19 – 20, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche danger will increase through the day with warming and sun.

Use extra caution in large alpine terrain, where a winter snowpack with deeply buried weak layers may persist.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    On north-facing and high-alpine slopes where dry, loose snow may persist, wind slabs remain possible.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    A layer of weak, faceted snow with a firm crust is buried 100 to 200 cm deep and continues to periodically produce large avalanches. Warming temperatures and solar radiation may increase its reactivity.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wet loose avalanches are most likely during periods of direct solar input and as temperatures rise later in the day.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.
  • We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.
  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose wet avalanches, up to size 2, were reported on Friday during periods of warming and sun exposure.

Large (up to size 3) persistent slab avalanches have been reported periodically over the past couple weeks. All observed events were naturally triggered, likely during periods of warming, solar radiation, and/or wind loading. The most recent report occurred within the past few days on an east aspect at approximately 1700 m (see photo below for details).

Snowpack Summary

A surface crust is likely to form overnight in terrain at treeline and above, except in high-alpine terrain, particularly on north aspects, where dry, wind-affected snow may persist. At lower elevations, limited overnight refreezing is likely to result in a moist or isothermal upper snowpack. With daytime warming and a chance of sun, the upper snowpack will weaken throughout the day.

A layer of weak, sugary snow over a thick crust is buried 100 to 200 cm and continues to produce large, surprising avalanches.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. Chance of light rain at treeline, with trace snow amounts in the alpine. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Monday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Tuesday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Wednesday
Sunny. 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 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.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • The likelihood of deep persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.

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