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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2026–Jan 8th, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Purcells, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Storm slabs remain reactive to human triggers and are likely more reactive where snow has been wind affected.

Assess the snow as you travel, and back off if you see signs of instability.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday numerous natural and human-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported, most were failing within the recent storm snow, with a few larger releases on the surface hoar layer.

This MIN describes the stormy and dynamic conditions experienced on Tuesday

Snowpack Summary

A surface hoar layer buried up to 70 cm deep is the main characteristic of the upper snowpack and has been the failure layer in many recent avalanches. On south-facing slopes this layer is a sun crust.

A melt-freeze crust can be found down 80 to 100 cm that is thin or absent in alpine terrain but thicker and more widespread at treeline and below.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and consolidated, with multiple crust layers present.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.

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.