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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 16th, 2025–Mar 17th, 2025
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Howson, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames.

Avoid large, steep and open slopes at higher elevations where persistent weak layers are more likely to be triggered.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several wind and persistent slabs were triggered on Saturday, to size 1 (see photos below). Avalanches failed on a mix of wind affected snow, buried crust or crust and surface hoar combinations.

Snowpack Summary

Southerly winds have redistributed recent snowfall into deep pockets on north facing slopes. Winds are forecast to shift west/northwest on Monday, likely creating loading on all aspects.

Two layers of concern currently exist in the upper-mid snowpack. Surface hoar on a crust can be found 20 to 60 cm deep. This layer has been reactive where a slab has consolidated above. And a layer of facets, surface hoar and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer produced large natural and human-triggered avalanches last week.

The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated with no current concerns.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with flurries. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures drop to -8 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 25 to 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with flurries. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing levels around 1100 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with flurries. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C as freezing levels rise to 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Layers of facets and surface hoar have shown recent reactivity. Choose small, low angle slopes as uncertainty exists.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Variable winds have likely redistributed recent snow into lee terrain features on many aspects. Wind slabs will be most reactive where they overlay a buried surface hoar layer. Expect locally variable wind effects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2