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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 5th, 2025–Feb 6th, 2025
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.

Although natural avalanche activity is tapering off new snow remains reactive to human triggering due to a buried weak layer.

Check out the Forecaster Blog "Keeping a Conservative Mindset"

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, avalanche control with explosives produced a few dry loose avalanches, size 1.5, that ran on the weak layer below the storm snow.

On Sunday, a skier was involved in an avalanche on a northeast aspect at treeline in the Mount Cain area (MIN report).

We expect new snow will remain reactive to skier traffic on Thursday, anywhere winds have formed slabs. Carefully manage sluffing in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Around 30 to 60 cm of storm snow blankets the areas. Recent snow sits on a hard melt-freeze crust in most areas and a weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar on high north aspects. In wind-exposed terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed by moderate to strong southwest wind.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and dense with no other layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mainly clear. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Thursday

Mainly sunny. 5 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Saturday

Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 4 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

30 to 60 cm of storm snow and southwest winds have formed slabs in lee terrain features. New snow is bonding poorly to surfaces below. Back off if you signs of instability: whumphing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5