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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 13th, 2025–Dec 14th, 2025

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

Regions

Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Howson.

Heavy snowfall and strong wind will make for dangerous avalanche conditions this weekend.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

During the storm last week, a widespread storm slab avalanche cycle was reported to size 3. The subsequent break in weather was accompanied by a sharp drop off in avalanche activity.

Natural avalanche activity is expected to renew with more snow and wind this weekend.

Snowpack Summary

By the end of the the day Sunday, 30 to 50 cm of new snow will have accumulated over the weekend. At upper elevations, wind has loaded new snow into deep deposits in leeward terrain features. At lower elevations, the new snow experiences rapid settlement as temperatures begin to rise.

In general, this season's upper elevation snowpack is shaping up as the ideal coastal snowpack; deep, strong and uncomplicated. Snowpack depths in excess of 300 cm can be found at treeline elevations.

Weather Summary

Saturday night
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday
Cloudy. 15 to 25 cm of snow. 90 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.

Monday
Cloudy. 40 mm of mixed precipitation overnight then changing to light snow flurries in the morning. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C in the morning, cooling to -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m dropping to 800 m.

Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 500 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.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Use extra caution for areas that are experiencing rapidly warming temperatures for the first time.
  • As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.