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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 17th, 2026–Apr 18th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Dogtooth, East Purcell, West Purcell.

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

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 Thursday, west of Invermere, several storm slabs to size 2.5 failed naturally or were triggered by riders.

On Wednesday, there were a few small (size 1-1.5) natural and rider-controlled wind slabs and two that were remotely triggered by a helicopter.

Please consider submitting a MIN to let us know what you're seeing out there.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 60 cm of recent snow sits on moist snow below treeline or a hard melt-freeze crust in the alpine. Some areas may have weak facets on this crust; information is limited at this time of year, so investigate in your area.

A thick crust from mid-March is 30-80 cm deep, which extends up to about 2400 m. Near Invermere, a weak layer of facets may be found above this crust.

Facets are found near the bottom of the snowpack in shallow alpine snowpack areas. The lower snowpack is strong in deep snowpack areas.

The snowpack continues to melt at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear skies. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Monday

Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

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.

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.