Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 18th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
The weather forecast calls for a gradual warming trend in the coming days. Watch for persistent slabs to become more reactive.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There have been numerous, small to large (size1 to 2) dry loose avalanches, both natural- and rider-triggered reported running in steep terrain over the past few days. There have been whumpfs reported on the weekend just outside the ski area in Fernie.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 30 cm of snow has fallen since last Friday. This storm snow is sitting on 30 to 60 cm of faceted old snow. Below this is a persistent weak layer buried in late January, which is a crust on sun-exposed slopes, and facets and/or surface hoar elsewhere.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled, with no other layers of concern.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
- Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
The late January weak layer is a problem where the snow above it is stiff and slabby. Read more about it in our Blog.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Light, dry snow may gather mass as it moves downhill. Avoid being underneath steep features and above one another.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 19th, 2025 4:00PM
