Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Feb 10 – 11, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Choose conservative, low consequence terrain.

The snowpack is complex and contains multiple layers of concern.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Strong outflow (northeast) winds have formed wind slabs on exposed features at all elevations. Be especially cautious near ridge crests and rollovers.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Up to a meter of snow overlies a weak layer, a crust and surface hoar layer, formed in mid-January. This layer may still be triggerable on slopes where the upper snowpack feels stiff or slabby.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2.5–3.5

    A weak layer buried 150 to 300 cm remains a concern. Avoid shallow rocky areas where triggering this layer is more likely. If triggered the resulting avalanche would be very large and destructive.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, a skier accidentally triggered a deep persistent slab, size 2, on a northeast aspect at 1700 m. The crown of the avalanche was 60 cm deep. This avalanche ran on the early December weak layer.

A few size 1.5, explosive triggered, wind slab avalanches were reported on Friday. These avalanches were on northwest aspects at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Previous strong northeast outflow wind has scour windward terrain and loaded south and west facing slopes at all elevations. In sheltered terrain 30 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a crust and layer of surface hoar from late January.

Another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January and can be found 50 to 100 cm deep.

A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 150 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C, potential for inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C, potential for temperature inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

Tuesday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C, potential for inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

Wednesday

Mainly sunny. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C, potential for inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Regions covered