Avalanche forecast

North Columbia

Apr 17 – 18, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A hot sun and rising freezing levels will cause avalanche hazard to rise through the day and over the weekend.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    Cornices are large, looming, and can trigger large avalanches on the slopes below. Cornices will become increasingly fragile as temperatures rise through the weekend.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Watch for winds leaving more reactive pockets in lee features. Strong solar radiation may increase the cohesion and reactivity of loose snow, especially on steep slopes in the alpine.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Watch for sunny skies and warm spring temperatures to trigger wet loose avalanches on solar slopes and lower elevations. Expect this problem to increase at upper elevations over the weekend alongside rising freezing levels.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
  • We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, a large persistent slab avalanche was triggered by riders in the Omineca Mountains, to the northwest of this forecast region. A group of two snowmobilers triggered the avalanche; one did not survive. More information can be found here.

No new avalanches have been reported in this region over the last few days. Observations are currently very limited in this region. Please consider submitting a MIN to let us know what you're seeing out there.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations, wind, sun, and spring temperatures continue to impact 20 to 40 cm of recent powder. Below the recent snow, a hard crust exists on all aspects to at least 2500 m.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear skies. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 1 to 5 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

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