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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 15th, 2025–Mar 16th, 2025
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
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: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Retallack, Rossland, Valhalla, Whatshan, Ymir.

Danger will be HIGH in areas that receive 25 cm or more of new snow. 

Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of rapid loading from new snow and wind.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A widespread region-wide avalanche cycle of natural and human-triggered avalanches occurred over the last few days, with slabs up to size 3 (very large). These avalanches occurred on all aspects and elevations. The majority were storm slabs but a significant amount failed on persistent layers as well.

Looking forward: Avalanche activity is expected to continue through Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

25 to 40 cm of recent snow previously formed widespread storm slabs. An additional 10 to 20 cm is forecast to fall overnight and through Sunday. Southwesterly winds will be building especially reactive slabs on lee north through east facing slopes near ridgetops.There is potential for the new snow to overload deeper persistent layers in the upper to mid snowpack, causing storm slabs to step down. These layers include:

  • Facets/surface hoar/crust from early March buried 25-50 cm.

  • Facets/surface hoar/crust from mid-February buried 40-90 cm

  • Facets/surface hoar/crust from late January buried 80-120 cm.

The rest of the snowpack is well settled with no other layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 35 to 45 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
  • As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.
  • Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh storm slabs are building, they will get more reactive as more snow accumulates through the day. Slabs will be especially touchy on wind-loaded northerly through easterly slopes near ridgetops.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper meter of the snowpack. The greatest concern for triggering these layers lies in areas where a thick, supportive crust is absent under the new snow.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3