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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 20th, 2025–Mar 21st, 2025
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Retallack, Rossland, St. Mary, Valhalla, Whatshan, Ymir.

Forecast snow and wind are expected to form fresh storm slabs reactive to human triggers.

Watch for rapidly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, a couple cornice failures triggered persistent slabs up to size 2.5 at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

Forecast snow and wind are expected to form fresh storm slabs reactive to human triggers.

Concern remains for triggering persistent slab avalanches. These layers include:

  • Facets/surface hoar/crust from early March buried 40-70 cm.

  • Facets/surface hoar/crust from mid-February buried 60-100 cm

  • Facets/surface hoar/crust from late January buried 100-160 cm.

The lower snowpack is well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h west winds. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 15 cm snow. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Watch for rapidly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.
  • Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Forecast snow and wind are expected to form fresh storm slabs reactive to human triggers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper metre of the snowpack. Small avalanches in motion may trigger these deeper layers creating very large and destructive avalanches.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3