Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 15th, 2026–Apr 16th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Columbia, North Rockies, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Clemina, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Strong solar radiation may increase the reactivity of recently formed storm slabs.

Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when solar radiation is strong.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday.

Observations are currently very limited in this region. Please consider submitting a MIN to let us know what you're seeing out there.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 40 cm of recent snow and wind from a variety of directions have formed storm slabs that will be most reactive on lee features at upper elevations.

Below the recent snow is a hard crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2500 m.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Thursday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.