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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 15th, 2026–Jan 16th, 2026

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

Regions

Purcells, Grohman, Norns, Ymir, Crawford, Kokanee, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Use caution in areas that don't have a crust.

It's uncertain if a buried weak layer is still a concern. Be sure to localize your observations.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
  • Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, avalanche control produced several large (size 2.5) wet slabs near Kootenay pass.

On Monday and Tuesday, there was a natural avalanche cycle. Producing many large (size 2-3.5) avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

A crust extends up to around treeline. It may not be present on north facing slopes or in the alpine where there is dry snow.

A surface hoar layer currently buried 50 to 100 cm has been the failure layer in many recent avalanches. On south-facing slopes, this layer is a sun crust.

The remaining snowpack is generally well-bonded, with multiple crust layers present.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Mostly clear skies. 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Friday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Saturday
Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Above freezing layer (AFL) at treeline and in the alpine.

Sunday
Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Sunday

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More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

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.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.