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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 25th, 2025–Dec 26th, 2025

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 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.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Purcells, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

New snow & wind is forecast to build reactive slabs.

Validate conditions in the field:
If you see less than 10 cm of new snow in your area, the hazard may only be Moderate.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday
- Numerous storm slabs up to size 2 were triggered by explosive control near Kootenay Pass.

-Several naturally triggered avalanches up to size 1.5 were observed near Whitewater.

-Explosive control near Red Mtn produced numerous wet loose sluffs and some slabs up to size 1.5.

On Tuesday,
-Ski cuts resulted in some small size 1 wind slabs near Whitewater.

Snowpack Summary

Between 10 to 20 mm of precipitation fell across the region on Wednesday, with rain reaching elevations of 1700 to 2100 m, in most areas. As temperatures cooled, this precipitation formed a new surface crust.

Another 10 to 20 cm is expected by Friday afternoon, accompanied by strong southwesterly winds. This is expected to form widespread reactive new storm slabs. The slabs may be poorly bonded to the new rain crust, making them more reactive than usual in some areas.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled, but contains multiple crust layers with some overlying facets observed.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Friday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 5 to 15 cm of snow on Friday night. 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Sunday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

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.