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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 27th, 2026–Jan 28th, 2026

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

New snow overnight and accumulating throughout the day are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions.

Avoid all avalanche terrain. Natural avalanche activity is likely.

Confidence

High

  • We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

We expect dangerous avalanche conditions with the incoming forecasted precipitation. Natural avalanche activity is likely, with large avalanches in many areas.

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 30 to 60 cm of snow is expected above 1200 m by the end of day Wednesday. Highest amounts expected in the southwest of the region near Sutton Pass.

This new snow will bury a hard surface crust in most areas and in sheltered terrain a surface hoar layer.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 15 to 30 cm of snow above 1200 m. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Wednesday
Cloudy. 15 to 35 cm of snow above 1200m. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Thursday
Cloudy. 15 to 50 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 70 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.
  • Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain with no overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.

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.