Avalanche forecast

Kitimat

Jan 26 – 27, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

It's uncertain if warm weather will cause weak layers in the snowpack to become reactive.

Take a conservative approach until conditions are clear.

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.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    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.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C with a temperature inversion.

Sunday

A mix of sun and clouds. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C with a temperature inversion.

Monday

A mix of sun and increasing cloud. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C with a temperature inversion.

Tuesday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Friday: A few small storm slabs were rider-triggered near Shames on a south aspect at treeline.

Thursday: There were many small and large (size 2) storm slabs and dry loose avalanches. Both rider and naturally-triggered.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 30 of settling snow from earlier this week sits on either old wind affected layers or possibly surface hoar in sheltered spots. In exposed areas, soft snow has been redistributed into wind slabs.

100 to 200 cm deep in the snowpack are layers of crust, facets, and possibly surface hoar that were buried in December. Warm temperatures are expected to increase the reactivity of this layer.

The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and unconcerning.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • 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.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Regions covered