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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 4th, 2026–Jan 5th, 2026

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 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.

Regions

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

Ongoing flurries and unsettled weather will keep the avalanche hazard elevated.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, natural storm slab avalanches and explosive-triggered avalanches up to size 2 were observed around Kootenay Pass. Riders triggered increasingly reactive storm slabs to size 1.5, these developed through the day with accumlating snowfall.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of recent storm snow buried surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain and a sun crust on south-facing slopes at treeline and above. Rain and warm temperatures saturated lower elevations, as freezing levels drop, a crust will form.

Another 20-50 cm of settled snow covers the Dec 24 melt-freeze crust 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

Sunday night

Cloudy. 5 cm of snow, rain at lower elevations. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 15 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level 300 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 20 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level 600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

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.