Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 22nd, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Choose mellow, low consequence terrain during the storm. The heaviest snowfall is expected around Stewart.
If your area gets less than 30 cm of snow, lower the danger one level.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, several size 1 to 2 natural storm slab avalanches were reported. These avalanches entrained moist snow at lower elevations, acting like loose wet avalanches. North of Stewart, avalanche control with explosives produced several small (size 1.5) widely propagating avalanches on steep cutbanks.
Looking forward, natural and human-triggered avalanches will remain likely in areas that are seeing rapid loading from new snow and wind.
Snowpack Summary
By Sunday afternoon, 25 to 50 cm of recent storm snow may have fallen with southerly wind forming deeper deposits on north-facing slopes. This recent snow will overlie a variety of surfaces including a layer of surface hoar in sheltered terrain and wind-affected snow or a crust in exposed terrain.
In sheltered terrain, a thick layer (40 to 70) cm of faceted snow overlies a crust and layer of surface hoar from late January.
Deeper in the snowpack, another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December varies in depth from 100 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 15 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Monday
Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with trace snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
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.
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Expect fresh, reactive storm slabs to be forming as new snow falls with strong south winds. In lower snow areas, there may only be a problem on wind-loaded slopes.
This new snow may be sitting on weak surface hoar or facets.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer buried 100 to 300 cm remains a concern.
Avoid shallow rocky areas where the snow transitions from thick to thin and triggering this layer is more likely.
If triggered the resulting avalanche would be very large and destructive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2025 4:00PM
