Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 12th, 2026–Jan 13th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Watch for changing conditions with elevation. Wind slabs remain a concern, while warming temperatures and sun in the south increase the risk of wet loose avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. We expect wet avalanches to be likely as temperatures rise on Tuesday.

If you head out, please share any photos or observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is highly wind-affected in exposed alpine terrain, in sheltered terrain at treeline up to 40 cm of soft snow can be found. Surface snow is likely moist at all elevations from warm temperatures.

A layer of facets is buried around 50 to 100 cm deep and is slowly gaining strength.

The mid and lower snowpack have no layers of concern. Snowpack depths are generally around 150-200 cm deep at treeline.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud 4 to 5 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2000 m. Warming is expected to be greatest in the south of the region.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 mm of rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Thursday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Problems

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.

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.