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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 17th, 2025–Apr 18th, 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, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Shuswap, Kokanee, North Okanagan, Valhalla.

When it's warm both day and night, the snowpack stays soft and wet.

Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Thursday.

A few size 2 cornice falls were observed on east-facing slopes north of Nelson on Tuesday.

Evidence of wet loose avalanches (size 1 to 2) are still visible across the region from the past weekend's warming.

NOTE: Observations are currently very limited in this region.

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions range from crusty or moist snow on lower and south-facing slopes to firm, wind-affected snow in exposed areas. Pockets of dry snow may still exist on high north-facing slopes.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m. Possible temperature inversion.

Friday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 1800 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.