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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 12th, 2026–Jan 13th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Rossland, South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Rising temperatures and freezing levels will increase the likelihood of triggering avalanches.

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.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.