Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 30th, 2026–Jan 31st, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Boundary, Kitimat, Rupert, Shames, Stewart.

Stick to conservative terrain, avoiding overhead hazard. Remote triggering of large avalanches may be possible at all elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle to size 2.5 was observed in the north of the region, starting early Wednesday morning and was ongoing throughout Friday. Additional reports from Friday indicated numerous wet loose and wet slab avalanches up to size 3.

While precipitation is expected to taper off on Saturday, the danger is expected to remain elevated with large natural avalanches possible and human-triggering likely.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 100 cm of storm snow has fallen since Monday, accompanied by rain at lower elevations. This storm snow will be heavy, and wet below the rain line, which is estimated to reach 1500 m. Above the rain line, the snow surface has seen widespread wind effect from strong southwesterly winds.

In many areas, the recent snow is overlying a reactive weak layer of surface hoar or facets, over a thick, hard crust.

A deeper layer of surface hoar from early January can be found down 70 to 250 cm, and remains a lingering concern.

Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 250 to 450 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy. 0 to 4 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m falling to 1000 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy. 0 to 4 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow at treeline, rain below. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 mm of rain at treeline. 45 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.