Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Jan 6 – 7, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Check for loaded pockets in leeward terrain. Avalanches are most likely where the wind has formed a slab over a crust or weak faceted snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Increasing winds will quickly impact loose snow. Watch for blowing snow and check for reactive pockets under ridgelines and steep rolls.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A widespread crust with weak crystals overtop is buried 30-70 cm deep. This problem is specific to areas where a cohesive slab has formed over the layer, for example wind-loaded features.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1-2 wind slab avalanches were reported last Monday-Wednesday. These occurred on wind-loaded leeward slopes, with the larger ones failing on the December crust (for more details click the photos below). We suspect recent wind has affected surfaces in open terrain at upper elevations, but have had limited field reports for this region.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 30 cm recent snowfall is soft and low density in many places, with some wind-affected areas around ridgelines and exposed terrain at upper elevations

A noticeable interface can be found across the region, buried 30 to 70 cm, depending on wind loading patterns. This layer is made of weak facets overlying a hard crust. Snowpack tests indicate this layer is losing reactivity, but we've had very few field observations.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled and bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Mostly clear. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with flurries, 5 cm. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Wednesday

Overnight flurries, 5 to 20 cm snow by morning. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

Regions covered