Avalanche forecast

Kitimat

Mar 27 – 28, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Large avalanches continue to be reported around the region. A complex and reactive snowpack is best managed by choosing simple, conservative terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Gusty easterly winds will impact any loose snow available.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack continue to trigger very large avalanches. These layers could be triggered by smaller avalanches, cornice failures, or human activity.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures have produced a crust above 2000 m and higher on solar slopes. Dry snow persists on northerly aspects at upper elevations.

Three persistent weak layers are a concern in the snowpack. Surface hoar that formed in mid-March can be found 50 to 100 cm below the snow surface. Below this, another layer of surface hoar that formed in early March can be found at a depth of 100 to 150 cm. Additionally, a layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 100 to 200 cm deep.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A significant avalanche cycle occurred last weekend, with very large slab avalanches (up to size 4) failing on multiple persistent weak layers. On Sunday, skiers remotely triggered a size 3 persistent slab near Shames (see photo). Reports of large avalanches to size 3 continued Tuesday and Wednesday, likely triggered by warm temperatures or solar input.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy. Gusts to 70 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Friday

Sunny breaks. 30 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • 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.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

Regions covered