Avalanche forecast

Kitimat

Jan 24 – 25, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watch for reactive slabs in wind-loaded areas where the snow is deeper and stiffer. Uncertainty remains about how weak layers deep in the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Expect to find stiffer and deeper deposits of snow in wind-loaded areas. Reactive slabs will continue to form as wind redistributes the recent snow.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3

    A widespread crust with surface hoar and/or facets, buried in early December is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. The same layer has been responsible for several large, destructive avalanches in regions to the north.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday visibility hindered observations, however fresh snow and wind resulted in natural storm slab avalanches to size 3 and wind slabs to size 1 triggered by rider traffic.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of new snow has accumulated since the weekend, with lower amounts in inland areas. Westerly winds have redistributed this new snow into deeper deposits in leeward terrain. A layer of weak surface hoar crystals may exist beneath the new snow in wind-sheltered terrain, while previously wind-affected surfaces have been buried elsewhere.

Deeper in the snowpack, approximately 100 to 200 cm below the surface, a crust with faceted crystals, and/or surface hoar, buried in early December, persist.

The lower snowpack is generally well-settled with no current concerns.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday

Partly cloudy. 25 to 45 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 30 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Regions covered