Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Jan 27 – 28, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Deeply buried weak layers are slow to heal and require patience.

Choose low angle slopes free from overhead hazards.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs may sit on a layer of weak surface hoar crystals and take longer to heal than normal.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    A thin crust along with surface hoar and/or facets buried in early December persists roughly 100 to 200 cm deep. It appears to be of greatest concern in areas with shallow snowpacks and on wind-loaded north or east-facing slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, one small rider-controlled storm slab was reported. Failing on surface hoar that was buried on January 20th.

Large avalanches failing on the early December weak layers continue to be reported.

  • On Friday, east of Hazelton a snowcat remotely triggered a large (size 2) persistent slab avalanche.

  • On Thursday, a few large (size 2-2.5) persistent slab avalanches failed on north and east aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 40 cm of soft snow has been redistributed by southwest wind. Scouring exposed areas and loading lee features. In sheltered areas this snow may sit on a layer of weak surface hoar crystals.

Around 100 to 200 cm deep are buried weak layers from December. Consisting of crusts, facets, and/or surface hoar. These layers continue to produce large avalanches.

The lower snowpack is strong with no layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear. 20 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C inversion ends.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 20 to 30 cm of snow overnight and 10 to 15 cm during the day. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Regions covered