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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 12th, 2026–Jan 13th, 2026

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Spearhead, Tantalus.

Warm temperatures and high freezing levels are keeping avalanche hazard elevated.

The snowpack needs time to adjust to this significant warming, avoid travel in avalanche terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a widespread wet slab and wet loose avalanche cycle was reported.

Cornices are reported to be over-hanging and fragile. As the freezing levels rise even further and the sun comes out we expect natural avalanche activity to continue.

Snowpack Summary

Rain and heavy wet snow above 2000 m has saturated the upper snowpack, this overlies last weeks storm snow. This rain-on-snow event is the trigger for numerous wet slab avalanches up to size 2.

With freezing levels forecasted to rise further tomorrow with sunny breaks in the afternoon surface snow will remain moist and reactive.

The mid-December crust is 100 to 200 cm deep and reaches up to 2200 m. It's well-bonded to the snow above. Above 2200 m, a layer of facets and a crust from November is at the base of the snowpack. These layers are not currently a concern.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Cloudy. 15 to 25 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 mm of rain at treeline. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2900 m.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 4 mm of rain at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.

Thursday
Sunny. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
  • Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain with no overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.