Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 4th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
New snow & wind may form reactive wind slabs near ridgetops.
Be especially cautious on high north-facing slopes, and on sunny slopes during warming.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Sun: Numerous naturally triggered size 1-2 wet loose avalanches occurred across the region.
Sat: A natural size 3 persistent slab was seen on Evening Ridge (photo below). Several wet loose and wet slabs also occurred in the region.
Fri: Explosives control produced a size 3 persistent slab on a northwest-facing feature at 2100 m
Looking forward: Fresh wind slabs may be reactive and have potential to step down to deeper layers on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 15 cm of new snow is expected to fall overnight and through Wednesday. Southwesterly winds may build fresh and reactive wind slabs on lee north and easterly slopes. The new snow will be falling on a widespread melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere but high north-facing slopes.
Two concerning weak layers are present in the mid snowpack: facets/surface hoar or a crust from mid-February buried 40-60 cm, and faceted snow/surface hoar/crust from late January buried 60-90 cm. These layers were active during the warm-up and are most concerning at upper elevations, where a thick and supportive crust under the new snow hasn't stabilized the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 25 to 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1500 m, then falling to valley bottom. Treeline temperature low of -6 °C.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m. Treeline temperatures around -4 °C.
Thursday
Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1700 m. Treeline temperature around -2 °C.
Friday
Sunny. 15 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1900 m. Treeline temperature around 0 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and wind may be forming fresh wind slabs on lee features. Wind slabs may step down to deeper weak layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers exist between 40 - 90 cm deep. These layers remain a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust under the new snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches will become likely if the sun is out for prolonged periods. Avoid overhead hazard from sun-exposed slopes, especially if the snow surface is moist or wet.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 5th, 2025 4:00PM
