Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 8th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended on Sunday.
As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
By 4 pm on Saturday, several natural and human-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported up to size 2.
As storm snow accumulates through the weekend, we anticipate that increased avalanche activity will persist on Sunday.
If you are headed to the backcountry, please consider sharing your photos and observations from your day on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
By Sunday morning, storm snow totals are expected to be up to 80 cm, with an additional 20 to 40 cm of snow expected through the day. Storm snow covers a crust on all aspects except on high north facing terrain, where new snow buries 10 to 15 cm of snow overlying a crust from earlier in March.
A layer of facets and surface hoar from mid February can be found down 30 to 60 cm.
Another layer of facets and surface hoar from late January can be found down 80 to 120 cm.
The lower snowpack contains several crusts that are not concerning.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with heavy flurries, 30 to 55 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level around 1300 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with flurries, 20 to 40 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 3 cm. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level around 800 m.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 5 cm. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers and result in very large avalanches.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Ongoing snow and wind will build reactive storm slabs at all elevations. Back off if you encounter signs of instability like whumpfing, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This layer remains a concern in high north facing terrain where the snowpack depth is variable. This layer may become more reactive with the added stress of new snow and wind.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 9th, 2025 5:00PM
