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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 8th, 2025–Mar 9th, 2025
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.

While the persistent slab activity is slowing, it is not gone.

It is less likely to be triggered in areas where a surface crust exists.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Thurs: No new avalanches were reported, but snowpack tests done by our field team east of Elkford suggest that the persistent weak layer is still triggerable by humans.

Looking forward: Avalanches on buried weak layers may be difficult to trigger, but if one is triggered, it is likely to be large and destructive.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of recent snow covers a widespread melt-freeze crust up to 20 cm thick that exists at all elevations on slopes facing the sun, and on all aspects below treeline. Westerly winds formed slightly deeper, denser pockets in leeward terrain. These wind slabs are likely starting to bond to the crust below.

The main feature of the region's overall shallow snowpack is a persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January now buried 40 to 80 cm deep. This layer was the cause of several avalanches last week.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mainly cloudy, with up to 2 mm mixed precipitation in the west of the region. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2000 m.

Sunday

Partly cloudy with isolated flurries beginning late in the day. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2000 m.

Monday

Mainly cloudy, with up to 10 cm of snow overnight. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m through the day.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy, with up to 4 cm new snow, primarily in the west of the region. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m through the day.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The persistent weak layer has recently produced several large to very large avalanches. It remains a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust near the surface.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3