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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 1st, 2026–Feb 2nd, 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 and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

The surface hoar layer continues to produce touchy avalanche conditions.

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

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

Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 mm of rain. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.

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.

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.