Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 12th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Avoid areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin and triggering weak layer is more likely.
The snowpack is complex and contains multiple layers of concern.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in the region by 4 pm on Wednesday.
Sunday, a natural, size 3, deep persistent slab avalanche was reported in the Kispiox area. This avalanche is suspected to have occurred on Feb 8. The crown was 200 cm deep and it occurred on a north aspect at 1670 m.
Saturday, a skier accidentally triggered a deep persistent slab, size 2, on a northeast aspect at 1700 m. The crown was 60 cm deep. This avalanche ran on the Dec weak layer.
Snowpack Summary
Previous strong northeast outflow winds have scoured windward terrain and loaded south and west facing slopes at all elevations. Ongoing cold temperatures have softened the surface of wind affected terrain in many areas. In sheltered terrain 30 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a crust and layer of surface hoar from late January.
Another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January and can be found 50 to 100 cm deep.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December varies in depth from 100 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Clear. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Thursday
Mainly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and slopes above cliffs.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer buried 100 to 300 cm remains a concern. Avoid shallow rocky areas where the snow transitions from thick to thin and triggering this layer is more likely. If triggered the resulting avalanche would be very large and destructive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Up to a meter of snow overlies a weak layer, a crust and surface hoar layer, formed in mid-January. This layer may still be reactive to human triggering on slopes where the upper snowpack feels stiff or slabby.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Strong outflow (northeast) winds have formed wind slabs on exposed features at all elevations. Cold temperatures may be keeping slabs from bonding to the loose, dry snow below. Be especially cautious near ridge crests and rollovers.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 13th, 2025 4:00PM
