Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 23rd, 2026–Feb 24th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames.

Shifting winds may form fresh, reactive slabs at higher elevations.

Buried weak layers may become more reactive as load increases.

Confidence

Moderate

We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.
We are uncertain due to the track and intensity of the incoming weather system.

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1-1.5 rider triggered wind slabs have been reported in the last 3 days. Recent activity has mainly occurred at treeline elevations and on north or west facing slopes. As winds switch expect the most reactive slabs to be in north and east facing terrain.

Snowpack Summary

New snow will likely be redistributed by wind into deep deposits, while other areas scour. Storm snow falls over previously wind affected surfaces of sastrugi or old crusts.

20 to 40 cm of snow overlies a surface hoar, crust, facet layer in isolated, wind-sheltered terrain features (primarily at treeline and below).

A January crust and facet layer is buried 60 to 120 cm deep. Below, the remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 4 to 20 cm of snow, favouring coastal terrain. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 35 cm of snow. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.