Avalanche forecast

Kitimat

Jan 30 – 31, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Conditions will remain dangerous after the storm. The new snow needs time to strengthen.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    The 100 to 200 cm deep weak layer from early December is becoming difficult to trigger.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    20 to 40 cm of fresh snow may bond slowly to underlying layers. Storm slabs could be extra deep and reactive on wind-loaded features.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wednesday's storm likely caused a natural avalanche cycle, particularly in wind-affected alpine terrain. Moving forward, triggering storm slabs will be the primary concern, especially on slopes where they bond poorly to underlying surface hoar or crusts.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 40 cm of snow fell on Wednesday, with southwest winds depositing more in lee areas. This new snow may bond poorly to underlying layers, which could include:

  • Large surface hoar crystals in sheltered spots at treeline and below

  • Crusts on solar slopes

  • Old wind-affected snow

A layer of surface hoar from early January is buried 20 to 40 cm deep, though it's uncertain whether this layer will persist.

100 to 200 cm deep in the snowpack are layers of crust, facets, and possibly surface hoar that were buried in December.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Sunny. 10 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.

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