Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Jan 18 – 19, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Warm and sunny weather continues! Combined with low danger, it's a great time to explore the mountains.
Continue to exercise caution while travelling in committing avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Loose wet sluff potential increases as the sun and daytime warming break down the surface crust. Especially on steep, sun-facing slopes.

Confidence

High

  • Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed. See photo below for conditions reported earlier this week.

Loose wet avalanches may be possible as the surface crust breaks down during daytime warming. This pattern is expected to persist throughout the weekend, while we remain under a strong ridge of high pressure.

Snowpack Summary

A thick crust caps moist snow at upper elevations. This crust may melt and break down during daytime warming, especially on sunny slopes. Below treeline, the snowpack is fully saturated, and a crust may not have formed.

Otherwise, the snowpack is well consolidated, with no current layers of concern. The snowpack height generally varies between 75 to 175 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 10 °C. Freezing level 3500 m.

Sunday
Sunny. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 10 °C. Freezing level 3400 m.

Monday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 8 °C. Freezing level 3500 m.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 3100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Periods of low danger may be a good time to increase your exposure.
  • Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.

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