Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 5th, 2025–Feb 6th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Boundary, Stewart, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Keep your head up and be aware of large slopes above you

Avalanche activity has tapered off but large avalanches initiating in the alpine are still possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Rider and naturally triggered wind slab avalanches continue to be reported in this region. These avalanches have been up to size 2.5 and occurred on a variety of aspects in the treeline and alpine.

No deep persistent slab avalanches have been reported in the past few days but several were reported last week. These avalanches were generally in the alpine and up to size 3.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to 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 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

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C, potential for temperature inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

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.

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.