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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 20th, 2025–Apr 21st, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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, Kokanee, North Okanagan, Valhalla.

Verify conditions before committing to steep slopes. Small wind slabs may have formed at upper elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Recent observations are limited to evidence of old wet loose avalanches (size 1 to 2) from earlier warm, sunny weather.

Consider sharing what you see on the Mountain Information Network if you go into the backcountry:

  • How much new snow?

  • Was it wind-affected?

  • What are surface conditions like?

Snowpack Summary

Upper elevations may have received 10 to 20 cm of new snow by Monday, which likely sits above melt-freeze crusts. A spring diurnal pattern is in effect. Daytime warming moistens the upper snowpack, and overnight cooling usually forms a hard crust at higher elevations. Lower elevations may not refreeze and are melting out quickly.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with highly variable flurries bringing 0 to 15 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Tuesday

Sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Wednesday

Sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.