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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 21st, 2025–Feb 22nd, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

South Rockies, Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Watch for persistent slabs to become reactive as the temperature continues to rise.

In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, explosives triggered a size 2 wind slab near Castle Mountain.

On Wednesday, a large (size 2.5) persistent slab failed on a north-facing alpine slope near Line Creek.

On Tuesday, there were reports of large (size 2) dry loose avalanches running in steep terrain. These were stepping down to a weak layer of facets buried in late January.

Snowpack Summary

Significant wind effect at upper elevations, and some lingering stubborn wind slabs have been reported for areas east of the Continental Divide. Around 25 cm of recent settling snow sits on 20 to 40 cm of mostly faceted snow. This all rests on a weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January now buried 40 to 60 cm. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow / rain possible below 1600 m. 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow/ rain possible below 1700m. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.

Monday

Partly cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.