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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 29th, 2026–Jan 30th, 2026

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Boundary, Kitimat, Rupert, Shames, Stewart.

A natural avalanche cycle is underway. Stick to simple or non-avalanche terrain well away from overhead hazards.

Confidence

High

  • We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.
  • We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle to size 2.5 was observed in the north of the region starting early Wednesday morning and likely remains ongoing. Skier traffic and ski cutting during the day produced several size 1.5 releases. All releases were noted to have failed on the drought layer described in our snowpack summary.

Another round of moderate to heavy snowfall (even a bit of rain) and wind should maintain dangerous avalanche conditions through the coming days.

Snowpack Summary

Another 30 to 40 cm of new snow should accumulate by end-of-day Friday, bringing storm totals since January 25 to about 80 - 100 cm, with moderate to strong south winds accompanying it all.

The new snow has reached a critical load above a grab-bag of drought surfaces. Heavy wind effect and supportive crust predominate, but these may be paired with faceted grains or large, weak surface hoar in sheltered areas--a bad combo.

The January 3rd surface hoar is still a layer of note, found 100 to 250 cm deep. It hasn't produced avalanches recently and ought to be locked under the crust in many areas.

Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 250 to 450 cm.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Cloudy with increasing snowfall bringing 15 - 20 cm of new snow, rain below about 1000 m. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind, increasing. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Friday
Cloudy with easing snowfall bringing a final 15 - 20 cm of new snow, rain below about 1200 m. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C to 1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m to 1500 m.

Saturday
Becoming a mix of sun and cloud after isolated flurries overnight. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind, increasing. Treeline temperature -1 °C to 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 - 1300 m.

Sunday
Cloudy with flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.