Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 1st, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Warm temperatures and sun will weaken the snowpack, making weak layers easier to trigger.
Use extra caution during the warmest parts of the day.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Earlier this week, explosive control in different parts of the region produced several small to large (up to size 2) avalanches in east and southeast-facing alpine and treeline terrain. Some were small wind slabs but the larger avalanches failed on a persistent weak layer of facets over a crust up to 60 cm deep.
Snowpack Summary
A melt-freeze crust or moist snow likely makes up the surface on all but high-elevation north aspects. High overnight freezing levels mean crust recovery may be weak. This overlies 30 to 60 cm of recent storm snow that sits over a crust in many areas or surface hoar / facets in some wind-sheltered areas. A weak layer buried in late January consisting of surface hoar and facets or a crust, is buried 50 to 90 cm and remains a lingering concern. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly clear with some valley cloud. 5 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. with an alpine temperature inversion. Freezing level 2500 m.
Sunday
Increasing cloud cover, lingering valley cloud. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C with an alpine temperature inversion. Freezing level 2000 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 5 to 15 hm/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 hm/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Triggering deep layers is more likely if the snow surface didn't freeze overnight.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of consisting of a crust and/or facets is buried 30 to 60 cm. Recent avalanches on this layer indicate it remains poorly bonded.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches will become more likely as daytime warming and sun melt the upper snowpack.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2025 4:00PM
