Avalanche forecast

North Columbia

Apr 8 – 9, 2026Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 5 months ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

New snow and wind have created reactive wind slabs in lee features.

Use caution as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Expect reactive wind slabs in lee terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

A few small (size 1) wind slabs were skier-controlled on Tuesday in the immediate lee terrain at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of new snow falls on a widespread crust from previous warm temperatures and sun up to 2100 m.

A hard crust is buried 30 to 70 cm deep, but may remain exposed in wind-scoured alpine terrain. It extends up to at least 1500 m in the Rockies, and 2000 m in the Cariboos.

Below the crust, the snowpack is strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear skies. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 mm of rain at treeline. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Regions covered