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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 29th, 2026–Jan 30th, 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 avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast, Powell River, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron.

Expect storm slabs to be much more reactive at upper elevations where the snow remains dry.

Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

Large, natural avalanches are expected to occur in the alpine on Friday.

Wet loose avalanches may occur at treeline and below.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 30 cm of forecast snow above 1300 m and strong south wind will form reactive storm slabs at upper elevations on Friday.

The recent snow overlies a hard crust in most locations.

The mid/lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.

Snowpack depth ranges between 70 to 175 cm at treeline elevations.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Cloudy. 30 to 50 cm above 1600 m (rain below). 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Friday
Cloudy. 20 to 30 cm of snow above 1600 m (rain below). 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 cm of snow above 1500 m (rain below). 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.

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.

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.