Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Apr 21 – 22, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche danger will rise through the day due to warming and sun.

Plan your trip accordingly and avoid being under or on large cornices and big slopes during the heat of the day.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Cornices will weaken with daytime warming and solar input.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches are most likely during periods of direct solar input and as temperatures rise later in the day.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a limited overnight refreeze, daytime warming and the warm April sun continued to initiate natural wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5.

Check out these MIN reports from Saturday for more details:
Cornice abound and Zymbuck and Pollywood

Snowpack Summary

A widespread surface crust is likely to form overnight at treeline and above, except in high-alpine terrain (above ~2000 m), particularly on north aspects, where dry, wind-affected snow may persist.

Below treeline, a limited overnight refreeze continues and is likely to result in a moist or isothermal upper snowpack. With daytime warming and sun, the upper snowpack will weaken throughout the day.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Wednesday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Friday
Sunny. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.



More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Think carefully about your exit plan from the backcountry because avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
  • Avalanche danger will increase as the surface crust breaks down.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

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