Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 19th, 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
Small wind slabs may trigger deeper weak layers creating large avalanches.
Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous loose dry sluffs continue to be reported across the region.
Tuesday, a size 2 persistent slab was naturally triggered on a northwest alpine slope. A few wind slabs up to size 2 were also reported.
Monday, skiers remote-triggered a size 2 persistent slab on a south-facing slope below treeline.
On the weekend, several small natural and rider-triggered slabs were reported failing in the recent storm snow. A few isolated ones also ran on the persistent weak layer.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 15 cm of new snow is expected by Thursday afternoon, accompanied by moderate southwesterly wind. These conditions will likely build fresh slabs on lee slopes. The new snow will add to the 10 to 25 cm of old storm snow covering a layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas, and a thin sun crust on sun-affected slopes. A persistent weak layer formed at the end of January is now buried approximately 40 to 80 cm. This layer is a crust on sun-exposed slopes, surface hoar in shaded, sheltered terrain, and weak faceted grains elsewhere. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with 1 to 7 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatrure -7 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
Friday
Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.
Saturday
Partly cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs if you find yourself moving into wind-affected terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A persistent weak layer 30 to 70 cm deep, remains a concern in areas where there is an overlying cohesive slab. This is most likely in wind-loaded areas or on sun-exposed slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 20th, 2025 4:00PM
