Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 24th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Minimize your exposure to wind affected slopes.
Fresh and reactive wind slabs are expected to form and persistent weak layers remain a concern.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, storm and persistent slab avalanches were reported to size 2, both naturally and human triggered. Avalanches occurred within the storm snow and on the buried weak layer from late January. Lower elevations saw wet avalanche activity due to rainfall.
We expect natural activity to taper off, but human triggering to remain possible especially in wind affected features.
Snowpack Summary
Storm totals are expected to reach 45 cm by Tuesday afternoon. Moderate to strong west/southwest winds have redistributed this snow into deep deposits at treeline and above, likely stripping slopes that face into the wind. Below 1600 m precipitation mostly fell as rain.
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January is buried 40 to 60 cm deep (see photo below). This layer is expected to be more reactive with the warmer temperatures and new snow/ rain. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with 5 cm of snow possible. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow possible. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, easing slightly over the day. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.
Wednesday
Mostly clear skies with 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 2000 m, treeline temperatures of +1 °C.
Thursday
Mostly clear skies with increasing afternoon cloud. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 2100 m, treeline temperatures of +2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Deep deposits are expected near ridgelines, and lower on the slope in areas that received stronger winds. Avoid hollow, drum-like sounding snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets produced avalanche activity during the recent storm. This layer is likely still reactive from warm temperatures and snowfall.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 25th, 2025 4:00PM
