Avalanche forecast

Microwave-Sinclair

Jan 18 – 19, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

As the surface crust breaks down the likelihood of triggering an avalanche will increase.

It is uncertain how the continued warmth will affect the snowpack so watch for signs of instability.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Windslabs are most likely in immediate lee features.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Loose wet avalanches are most likely at upper elevations on steep south facing slopes.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to rapidly fluctuating freezing levels.
  • Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

January 15

  • Several large (size 2-2.5) windslab avalanches where reported (likely from a few days before).

  • The wind slabs where naturally triggered during the past storm with a few of them being triggered by cornice failures.

January 12

  • size 3 avalanche was observed, on a lee aspect feature that likely failed during the very warm temperatures.

    If you head out, please share any photos or observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is highly wind-affected in exposed alpine terrain. At treeline and below, the snow surfaces has formed a crust with moist snow beneath it.

Below 1600 m the surface crust is up to 20 cm thick and poses additional slip and fall hazards.

A layer of facets is buried around 50 to 100 cm deep and is slowly gaining strength.

The mid and lower snowpack have no layers of concern. Snowpack depths are generally around 150-200 cm deep at treeline.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. An above freezing layer from 1000m to 3100 m.

Sunday
Sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. An above freezing layer from 1500m to 3100 m.


Monday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. An above freezing layer from 1500m to 3300 m.


Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. An above freezing layer from 1500m to 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

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