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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 15th, 2025–Feb 18th, 2025

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

Regions

Long Range Mountains, Corner Brook, Gros Morne, Northern Peninsula.

The best riding and lowest avalanche danger will be in low-angle meadows and clearings that are out of the wind. Avoid being on or under any steep snowy slopes that are exposed to the wind.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday in the Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park, our field team saw evidence of several large (size 2) wind slab avalanches triggered by cornices falling on the slope below.

See their MIN (Mountain Information Network) post for photos and more information, as well as their Instagram post for a video of one.

Looking forward to Sunday, we expect that natural and human triggered avalanches will be likely on any steep slopes, especially those that are wind-loaded.

Snowpack Summary

In sheltered areas 70-110 cm of snow has likely piled up between Friday morning and Sunday evening, with reports of drifts up to 200 cm. Strong to extreme winds continue overnight. The wind will still be strong enough on Saturday to keep building dangerous slabs on leeward (east and southeast) slopes in the hills.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally dense and strong.

The general trend this season has been sustained west and northwest wind, so expect slopes facing that prevailing wind to have thin or no snow cover. The snowpack in loaded bowls and gullies on south and east facing slopes may be 300 to 500 cm deep.

We expect conditions to change rapidly again as another storm arrives Tuesday night or Wednesday.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 60 to 70 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 4 cm of snow. Ridgetop winds easing to 30 to 50 km/h from the west. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 70 to 90 km/h east ridgetop wind, switching to southwest 30 to 40 km/h in the late afternoon/evening. Freezing level rising to 250-500 m. Treeline high -2 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind, switching to north and increasing as the storm arrives. There is the potential for a lot more snow/rain and wind depending on when the next storm arrives. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.