Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Jan 5 – 6, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Check for loaded pockets in leeward terrain. Avalanches are most likely where the wind has formed a slab over a crust or weak faceted snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Be cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    A widespread crust with weak crystals overtop is buried 30-70 cm deep. This problem is specific to areas where a cohesive slab has formed over the layer, for example wind-loaded features.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. 15 to 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1-2 wind slab avalanches were reported last Monday-Wednesday. These occurred on wind-loaded leeward slopes, with the larger ones failing on the December crust (for more details click the photos below). We suspect recent wind has affected surfaces in open terrain at upper elevations, but have had limited field reports for this region.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind effect can be found in the alpine and open treeline areas. This includes sastrugi in some areas and hard wind slabs. Recent winds have varied in direction so wind slabs may exist on all aspects. Soft snow can still be found in sheltered lower elevation terrain, and in the trees.

A significant weak layer can be found across the region, buried 30 to 70 cm, depending on wind loading patterns. This layer is made of weak facets overlying a hard crust. We expect this layer to persist as a problem, especially as it gets buried deeper.

The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and bonded.

Regions covered