Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2025–Jan 8th, 2025

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos, North Rockies, McBride, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Avalanche danger will be the highest where new snow and wind are forming fresh wind slabs.

Snowfall and wind will vary around the region, so verify conditions in your area.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, west of McBride, 20 cm thick wind slab avalanches were easily triggered and propagating widely on east facing slopes, but still only size 1.

Looking forward to Wednesday, we expect that fresh wind slabs will continue to form and be reactive to human triggers. These avalanches have the potential to be larger and more dangerous due to the forecasted snowfall.

Snowpack Summary

New snow and wind will likely be forming fresh wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. This covers 10 to 40 cm of faceted snow (weak, sugary crystals). The middle and lower snowpack consists of rounds and a few crust layers, these are of no concern at this time.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. Localised hotspots of 20 cm or more. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level between 750 and 1250 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with light to moderate flurries tapering off. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level between 750 and 1250 m.

Thursday

Partly cloudy with light flurries. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop winds, lighter on the east slopes of the rockies. Freezing level drops to valley bottom overnight and rises back to 1000-1500 m through the day, treeline high -2 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 15-25 cm of snow. Less on the east slopes of the rockies. 25 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop winds, lighter on the east slopes of the rockies. Freezing level 1000 to 1500 m, treeline low around -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.