Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 2nd, 2025–Feb 3rd, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Rockies, Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Avoid exposed north and east slopes where wind and new snow have formed slabs that remain reactive to human triggering.

Check out the new Forecaster Blog "Shifting your Mindset"

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, several avalanche control with explosives triggered several size 2 wind slab avalanches on northeast aspects at treeline.

We expect new snow will remain reactive to skier traffic on Monday anywhere winds have formed slabs and fast-moving dry loose avalanches in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow totals range from 15 to 30 cm, with deeper deposits in wind-loaded areas.

The new snow is likely bonding poorly to old surfaces, which include melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes, surface hoar or facets on shaded slopes, and wind-affected snow at higher elevations.

The lower snowpack is strong and bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 5 cm of snow. 15 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -25 °C.

Monday

Partly cloudy with a trace of new snow. 20 to 25 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -25 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -26 °C.

Wednesday

Clear. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.