Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 25th, 2025–Apr 28th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Start your day early and watch the crust closely.

As it breaks down, reduce your exposure to avalanche terrain.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, a small wet loose avalanche (size 1.5) was reported near Fernie in the early afternoon.

No other avalanches have been observed since Monday. However, observations are very limited at this time of year.

Snowpack Summary

On northerly slopes in the alpine, there may still be around 20 cm of soft snow from earlier in the week, potentially wind affected in exposed areas. Everywhere else, it's likely a crust will form overnight and break down during the day. Another crust is buried 20 to 30 cm deep.

The mid/lower snowpack is well settled and strong, but may weaken with continued high temperatures.

Lower elevations are melting out rapidly.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level (at least) 2500 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 9 °C. Freezing level (at least) 2800 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm/mm of snow/rain. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche danger will increase as the surface crust breaks down.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

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.