Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 20th, 2026–Apr 21st, 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 avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Lizard-Flathead, Purcells, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Goat, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla.

Watch for changing conditions as you change aspect and elevation.

The highest avalanche danger will be on wind-loaded slopes, and steep slopes seeing intense spring sun.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
  • The snowpack structure is well understood.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, west of Kaslo, a large (size 2.5) natural Cornice fall and a small (size 1.5) human triggered slab avalanche were reported in north facing alpine terrain.

Also, on Saturday and Sunday, numerous small (size 1-1.5) natural wet loose avalanches were reported on steep slopes facing the sun.

This region is data sparse. Please consider submitting a MIN to let us know what you're seeing out there.

Snowpack Summary

Sun and rising freezing levels will turn snow moist during the day, warm temperatures overnight will likely prevent a strong crust from forming.

Where dry snow prevails. 15 to 50 cm of recent storm snow sits on moist snow around treeline or likely on a crust in the alpine. In some areas east of Nakusp, small, weak facets have been seen on the crust.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong.

Check out this Conditions Update for tips on managing the current spring conditions.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear skies. 1 mm of rain at treeline. 20-35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 9 °C. Freezing level 3100 m.

Tuesday

Sunny. 10-35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind in the morning, dropping of to near calm in the afternoon. Treeline high 12 °C. Freezing level rising to 3500 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 10 mm of rain at treeline. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 3000 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • 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.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes in the alpine.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

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.

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.

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.