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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 5th, 2025–Mar 6th, 2025
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
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
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: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.

Continue to choose simple, mellow terrain. Signs of buried weak layers may be hard to find.

Remain especially cautious on high northerly slopes & areas without a thick, supportive crust.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wed: we expect that small wind slab avalanches were easily triggered by humans, but that these slabs will be well bonded to the old surface by Thursday.

Looking forward: Avalanches on buried weak layers may be difficult to trigger, but if one is triggered, it is likely to be large and destructive.

Snowpack Summary

5 cm of recent snow covers a widespread melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere but high north-facing slopes. Westerly winds likely formed deeper pockets in leeward terrain.

The main feature of the region's overall shallow snowpack is a persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January now buried 40 to 60 cm deep (see photo below). This layer was active during the warm-up and remains a concern where a thick and supportive crust under the new snow hasn't stabilized the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom. Treeline low -7 °C.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m. Treeline high -2 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom overnight, rising to 2000 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 40 to 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to near valley bottom overnight, rising to 2000 m through the day.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The persistent weak layer has recently produced several large to very large avalanches. It remains a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust under the new snow.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3