Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Jan 19 – 20, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Cornice failures and loose wet avalanches on sunny slopes are of concern.

It is uncertain how the continued warmth will affect the snowpack so watch for signs of instability.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4

    A layer of surface combined with a crust may become easier to trigger as temperatures warm and the sun comes out.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Use caution on steep south aspect terrain features where snow is becoming moist and unconsolidated. As day time temperature rise and the sun comes out, expect avalanche triggering to become possible to human triggers.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

January 16 & 17

  • A few large (size 2) natural avalanches were reported. On south aspects they are loose wet and on north and east aspects they are cornice failures.

January 15

  • Large (up to size 3) explosive triggered persistent slab avalanches were reported near Shames.

  • Other operations in the region reported avalanche activity decreasing with cooler temperatures.

January 14

  • A widespread natural avalanche cycle (up to size 4) was reported.

Snowpack Summary

On the surface there is a crust and at lower elevations surface hoar is growing.

In terrain exposed to the wind, small wind slabs are forming on lee aspect terrain.

At treeline, very warm and wet surface snow has now become a melt freeze crust. Expect this crust to be supportive to ski and foot weight but may start to break down as the warm air lingers.

A layer of large surface hoar is buried 90 to 150 cm in sheltered treeline features. The mid and lower snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 250 cm to 450 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Clear skies. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 3400 m.

Monday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 3100 m.

Tuesday
Sunny. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.

Regions covered