Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 19th, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Parks Canada, Avalanche Canada

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The persistent slab problem may be becoming active as the snowpack warms up. Windslabs may be able to trigger a larger persistent slab, however we have limited data and a lot of uncertainty around this problem. Exercise caution in wind affected and thin rocky terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, a few natural windslabs in steep slopes below cliffs were observed, and one natural size 2 slab avalanche which we suspect was a persistent slab. Numerous dry loose avalanches to size 2 were observed on steep slopes Monday and Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm storm snow is being redistributed into windslabs in the alpine and at treeline. These are sitting over storm snow and older windslabs. The January drought layer is 30 - 60 cm down. This layer includes facetted snow on northerly aspects or a melt freeze crust below treeline and on steep solar slopes into the alpine. Generally, the snowpack has become weak and facetted.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 100 - 160 cm.

Weather Summary

A continued warming trend with increased wind over the next few days.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for the most up to date information.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New windslabs are forming on lee slopes with southwest winds up to 60 km/hr and fresh storm snow available to move around.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Lots of uncertainty with this problem, but we suspect it will become more reactive in the warm up and with new snow later this week. Its possible smaller windslabs could step down to this layer and cause a larger avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 22nd, 2025 4:00PM

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