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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 31st, 2025–Feb 1st, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Howson.

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.

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.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.