Avalanche forecast

Kitimat

Feb 1 – 2, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The new snow needs time to bond to the old snow, avalanches remain possible in steep terrain.

Deeply buried layers are still a concern in very large alpine terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2.5–4

    The 100 to 200 cm deep weak layer from early December continues to produce large avalanches

  • Storm Slabs

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

    20 to 40 cm of recent snow may bond slowly to underlying layers. Storm slabs could be extra deep and reactive on wind-loaded features.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

One very large natural avalanche was observed on Wednesday (size 3.5) on a northerly aspect at 1800 m. This likely failed on the buried weak layer from December described in the snowpack summary.

Ongoing sluffing of the new snow and small windslabs (less than size 2) in steep areas are being observed throughout the region.

Snowpack Summary

There has been 20 to 40 cm of new snow since Wednesday, with southwest winds depositing more in lee areas. This new snow fell on a mix of:

  • Large surface hoar crystals in sheltered spots at treeline and below

  • Crusts on solar slopes

  • Old wind-affected snow

These types of snow may result in a weak layer moving forward.

A layer of surface hoar from early January is buried 20 to 60 cm deep, though it's uncertain whether this layer will persist.

100 to 200 cm deep in the snowpack are layers of crust, facets, and possibly surface hoar that were buried in December.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 40 to 60 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 40 to 60 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully manage your exposure to overhead hazards.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.

Regions covered