Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 2nd, 2026–Feb 3rd, 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 and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

North Columbia, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Clemina.

Temperatures are beginning to rise. Be extra cautious where snow is being warmed for the first time.

Conservative terrain choices are important.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.
We are uncertain due to rapidly changing freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

February 1

A skier remote triggered a large avalanche from 30 m away

January 31

Numerous small avalanches occurred on north-northeast aspect open slopes below treeline. These all failed on the late January surface hoar layer.
Several large storm slabs occurred in the alpine on northeast aspects, these also failed on the late January surface hoar.

January 30

Numerous large wet slab avalanches were reported in alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 45 cm of wind affected new snow sits over a widespread crust at treeline. With warm temperatures throughout the storm, this likely fell as rain as high as 1400 m in some areas of the region. Snow is generally moist to around 1700 m.

This new snow was accompanied by moderate to strong southwest winds, meaning that the crust has remained near the surface on southerly aspects while deeper deposits will be found on north and east aspects.

A layer of large surface hoar on the crust will make the storm slab more reactive in sheltered treeline and below treeline locations above 1400 m. Remote triggering is possible in these areas.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 3 mm of rain. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C degrees. Freezing level 2600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.

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.

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.