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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 20th, 2025–Dec 21st, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, several naturally triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on northerly aspects at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

40 to 60 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed slabs overlying a two to five cm thick crust.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled with a series of crusts.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Cloudy with flurries. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Monday
Mostly cloudy with flurries. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Problems

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.