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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 18th, 2025–Apr 19th, 2025

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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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 that conditions are safe before committing to steep slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported, but observations have been limited.

A few size 2 cornice falls were observed on east-facing slopes north of Nelson last Tuesday.

Evidence of wet loose avalanches (size 1 to 2) are still visible across the region from the past weekend's warming.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is generally well-settled and strong. Up to 10 cm of new snow may accumulate in the alpine overnight and through Saturday, falling as rain below 2000 m. Otherwise, a typical spring diurnal cycle is underway. High freezing levels transform the snow surface during the day into moist or wet snow, while cooling at night generally forms a crust. Pockets of dry snow may still exist on high north-facing alpine slopes. Lower elevations are melting out rapidly.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Increasing cloud and potential light rain to 5 mm below 2000 m. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature low 0 °C. Freezing level 3000 m, dropping to 1900 m

Saturday

Cloudy with potential light rain to 5 mm below 2000 m. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level around 2200 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries to 5 cm. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Carefully evaluate big and steep terrain features before committing to them.

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.