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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 16th, 2025–Apr 17th, 2025

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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Flathead, Lizard, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Valhalla, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Benign spring weather is bringing generally safe avalanche conditions.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A few size 2 cornice falls were observed on east-facing slopes north of Nelson on Tuesday. Wet loose avalanches (size 1 to 2) also occurred across the region during the warm, sunny weather on Sunday and Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Northerly alpine slopes may still hold 10 to 15 cm of soft, dry snow. Elsewhere, a thick crust covers the surface and may soften with daytime warming. There are no concerning layers deeper in the snowpack, and the snow is melting rapidly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds with flurries in the Fernie area bringing 0 to 4 cm of snow. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Friday

Sunny. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Sunday

Increasing cloud. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Carefully evaluate big and steep terrain features before committing to them.

Problems

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.