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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 3rd, 2026–Jan 4th, 2026

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Precipitation will continue throughout Sunday.

Slabs are likely to develop at elevations where snow accumulates.

Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.
  • Uncertainty is due to difficult to forecast freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported in the past week, but field observations remain limited.

With heavy rain and above 0 °C temperature, small wet loose avalanches may have occurred on steep slopes at lower elevations.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Rain falling up to the mountain tops has produced moist snow at all elevations on Saturday morning. This overlies a well-settled snowpack made up of crusts and moist snow.

The snowpack depth at treeline is around 120 to 150 cm.

Check out this MIN from our field team for more info about Elk Mountain from Friday, January 2nd.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of wet snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Sunday

Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of wet snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy. 15 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for rapidly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Snow is accumulating at higher elevations, despite lower elevations being almost snow-free.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

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.