Avalanche forecast

Kitimat

Apr 13 – 14, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Wind slabs are expected to remain reactive to human triggers, especially in lee features.

Avoid areas where the snow is wind effected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Expect wind slab development on north aspect terrain, near and below ridge crests.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3.5

    Weak layers of surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack have recently produced large avalanches. Surface instabilities or large triggers may step down to these deeper layers.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday north of the sleeping beauty provincial park. Ski cutting produced a few small (size 1) wind slab avalanches with one large (size 2) remotely triggered persistent slab avalanche reported.

If you do head out in the mountains, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 35 cm of new snow is present on the surface above 1500 m and has buried a melt freeze crust. Past strong southerly winds has likely transported available snow, promoting wind slab development.

Dry snow exists on northerly aspects at upper elevations.

Below 1100 m the snowpack is wet and unconsolidated.

Three persistent weak layers remain notable in the snowpack.

  • Surface hoar that formed in mid-March can be found 50 to 100 cm below the snow surface.

  • A layer of surface hoar that formed in early March can be found at a depth of 100 to 150 cm.

  • A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 100 to 200 cm deep.

At elevations below treeline, the snow pack is rain saturated and isothermal.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy with up to 15 cm snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Regions covered