Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–1.5
New snow and wind are forming fresh and reactive wind slabs in leeward terrain features at upper elevations.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapRossland
Jan 13 – 14, 2026Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 9 months ago
Avalanche danger
Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Highlights
Rising temperatures and freezing levels will increase the likelihood of triggering avalanches.
Avalanche problems
Loose Wet
NNEESESSWWNW- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–2
Steep terrain at lower elevations are most likely to produce wet loose avalanches. Be cognizant of you location in the terrain as even a small wet avalanche could push you over a cliff or into a terrain trap.
Confidence
Moderate
- Uncertainty is due to rapidly fluctuating freezing levels.
- Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, a few loose wet avalanches where observed at lower elevations on steep terrain. Avalanche control works near silver star resort produced several small (size 1) storm slabs and one persistent slab avalanche that failed on the deep layer from December. estimated to be down 50 to 70 cm deep.
On Saturday, a skier reportedly triggered a small persistent slab avalanche in the trees, running on a crust buried in mid December.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 20 cm of recent snow will begin to settle, become moist and as temperatures rise lose cohesion. Strong to moderate south west wind is forming new wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine and at treeline. In specific areas that are protected from the wind, surface hoar has been located and found down up to 20 cm.
The mid to lower snowpack contains a few crust/facet layers including one buried in mid December, now 50 to 70 cm deep.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy. 1 to 5 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2900 m.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 3100 m.
Thursday
Sunny. 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.