Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Jan 1 – 2, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 9 months ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable

Highlights

Recent strong winds have produced reactive wind slabs.

Avoid Leeward features where windslab will be most reactive.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Recent winds have formed slabs on all aspects; however, the most reactive are likely found on north west to north east facing terrain. Approach ridgelines and lee features with caution.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, numerous storm slab avalanches up to size 3 that occurred within the previous 48 hours were reported throughout the region. These avalanches were reported across all aspects and elevations.

As freezing levels lower, natural avalanche activity has begun to taper off.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Snowpack Summary

70-100 cm of new snow fell during the recent storm. Freezing levels have been variable throughout the region, but reports suggest that most areas received snow above 1100 m. This new snow fell on a previously wind-affected and faceted surface from the outflow event at the end of December.

Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 250 cm to 350 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 0 m.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing level 0 m.

Friday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C. Freezing level 0 m.

Saturday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C. Freezing level 0 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Regions covered