Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Feb 6 – 7, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Keep your head up and be aware of large slopes above you

Avalanche activity has tapered off but large avalanches initiating in the alpine are still possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Strong outflow (northeast) wind has formed wind slabs on A variety of aspects.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Up to 1 m overlies a crust and surface hoar layer from mid January. This layer is likely still rider triggerable in sheltered terrain.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2.5–3.5

    Activity on this layer has decreased but if it were triggered the resulting avalanche would be large and destructive.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Rider and naturally triggered wind slab avalanches continue to be reported in this region. These avalanches have been up to size 2.5 and occurred on a variety of aspects in the treeline and alpine.

No deep persistent slab avalanches have been reported in the past few days but several were reported last week. These avalanches were generally in the alpine and up to size 3.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong northeast outflow wind has scour windward terrain and loaded south and west facing slopes at all elevations. In sheltered terrain 30 to 60 cm of snow overlies a crust and layer of surface hoar from late January.

Another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January and can be found 50 to 100 cm deep.

A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 150 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C, potential for temperature inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

Regions covered