Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 8th, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada 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

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Saturday by 4 pm.

As storm snow accumulates through the weekend, we anticipate an increase in avalanche activity on Sunday as storm slabs grow deeper and become more reactive.

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 50 cm, with an additional 15 to 35 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 5 cm of snow overlying a crust from earlier in March. This second crust likely doesn’t exist above 2100 m.

A layer of facets and surface hoar from mid February can be found down around 40 cm.

Another layer of facets and surface hoar from late January can be found down 60 to 80 cm.

The lower snowpack contains several crusts that are not concerning.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with heavy flurries, 20 to 40 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level around 1200 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries, 15 to 35 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level around 1200 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level around 1300 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 deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Ongoing snow and wind will build increasingly sensitive storm slabs on Sunday. Conservative decision making is essential. Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain and overhead hazards.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 9th, 2025 5:00PM

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