Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Feb 3 – 4, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Strong winds, moderate to heavy precipitation and significant warming are creating dangerous conditions.

Choose conservative terrain and avoid overhead hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    A hard crust with surface hoar or facets overtop is buried 35 to 70 cm deep. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating larger than expected avalanches.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    10 to 25 cm of new snow is expected by Tuesday afternoon. Storm slabs will be most reactive in wind-loaded areas or in areas seeing rain for the first time.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Freezing levels are expected to rise to 2000 m, bringing rain to new elevations. Wet loose avalanches will be most likely in areas where a dry snow surface is being rained on for the first time.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.
  • We are uncertain about how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

Saturday

  • A few storm slabs were observed up to size 2.

Friday

  • Several loose wet avalanches and one slab avalanche up to size 2 were observed.

With more precipitation, strong winds and warming in the forecast, the danger is expected to remain elevated with large natural avalanches possible and human-triggering likely.

Observations have been limited by poor visibility and difficult weather, so be sure to post your observations to the MIN if you get out!

Snowpack Summary

Strong southwesterly winds and 10 to 20 mm of precipitation is expected to accumulate overnight and through Tuesday, with freezing levels potentially reaching 2000 m. The snow surface will be wet below the snow/rain line

A hard crust with a persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets overtop is buried 35 to 70 cm deep. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating large avalanches. Previous rain events may have neutralized this problem at lower elevations.

The remaining snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 150 cm to 250 cm.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of rain at treeline. 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy. 15 to 20 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1950 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 3 to 15 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1700 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 large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • The first few hours of rain will likely be the most dangerous period.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

Regions covered