Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 28th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Warm temperatures and sun will weaken the snowpack, making weak layers easier to trigger.
Use extra caution during the warmest parts of the day.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Earlier this week, explosive control in different parts of the region produced several small to large (up to size 2) avalanches in east and southeast facing alpine and treeline terrain. Some were small wind slabs but the larger avalanches failed on a persistent weak layer of facets over a crust up to 60 cm deep.
Snowpack Summary
A surface crust or moist snow may be found at lower elevations and on sun-affected slopes. Otherwise, 30 to 60 cm of accumulated settling storm snow sits over a crust in many areas or surface hoar / facets in some wind-sheltered areas. The highest storm snow amounts fell in southern parts of the region, and the lowest in the north. A weak layer buried in late January consisting of surface hoar and facets or a crust, is buried 50 to 90 cm and remains a lingering concern. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Clearing. 5 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.
Saturday
Mostly clear. 5 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level rises to 2500 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of consisting of a crust and/or facets is buried 30 to 60 cm. Recent avalanches on this layer indicate it remains poorly bonded.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Recent southwesterly winds built wind slabs on leeward northerly and easterly slopes. If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches will become more likely as daytime warming and sun melt the upper snowpack.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 1st, 2025 4:00PM
