Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 3rd, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Dry snow may remain in high elevation northerly terrain however, this is where triggering weak layers is most likely. Manage this high-consequence snowpack with low-consequence terrain.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, numerous natural and human-triggered avalanches, up to size 3.5, were reported at all elevations and aspects, many failing on the late January persistent weak layer.
On Sunday, a skier remotely triggered a size 2 persistent slab avalanche on a NW slope at 2300 m near Kaslo. The avalanche failed on the February weak layer and stepped down to the January weak layer.
Snowpack Summary
A few centimeters of snow overlies a melt-freeze crust on all aspects, except northerly slopes above 2000 m, where surfaces remained dry through the warm-up. Below 1000 m, the snow surface may still be moist.
A weak layer, composed of facets, surface hoar, or a crust, is found 20 to 60 cm deep. Another persistent weak layer, buried in late January, lies 50 to 110 cm deep across the region. This layer also consists of surface hoar/facets or a crust, depending on the aspect.
The remaining snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mainly clear skies. 5 to 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level drops to 1000 m.
Tuesday
Increasing cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with light flurries, 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4°C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers from January and February persist within the upper 100 cm of snow. Natural avalanche activity has tapered off with cooler temperatures; however, human triggering the persistent layers remains a concern.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 4th, 2025 4:00PM
