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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 19th, 2025–Feb 20th, 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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Rossland, Ymir.

Watch for persistent slabs to become more reactive as the temperature continues to gradually rise in the next few days.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday and Tuesday several small (size 1 to 1.5) natural and human triggered dry loose avalanches were reported running in steep terrain. A size 1.5 natural persistent slab was reported on a north aspect in the alpine. A few large (size 2) explosives triggered wind slabs running on southerly aspects in the alpine were reported in Kootenay Pass.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of recent snow sits on a layer of surface hoar from the middle of February, or a thin sun crust on steep south-facing slopes.

Below that, 20 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a layer of surface hoar buried in late January. It is most reactive where a slab has formed above this layer. You can read more about slabs in this blog.

The lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 3 to 5 cm of snow. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A layer of surface hoar buried 20 to 60 cm has been reactive where a cohesive slab sits above it.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

Dry loose avalanches can gather more snow as they move downhill and become larger than expected in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5