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 Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Prolonged warming will keep persistent slabs at their tipping point. Manage this high-consequence snowpack with low-consequence terrain.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
In the past week, numerous natural and rider-triggered wind slab and persistent slab avalanches have been reported, up to size 3.
Evidence indicates wind slabs and persistent weak layers remain primed for human triggering. Similar activity is expected on Sunday with continued warm temperatures and potential for strong sun.
Read more in our Forecasters' Blog.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 50 cm of settling storm snow rests on a weak layer of facets or surface hoar, while elsewhere it overlies a widespread crust. At lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes, warm temperatures and solar radiation resulted in a crust or moist snow on the surface. Additional weak layers formed in January are found at varying depths within the upper 100 cm of snow. These include weak faceted snow, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, and surface hoar in shaded terrain. Otherwise, the mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500-2000 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m-2000 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 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 -6 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remote triggering is a big concern, be aware of the potential for wide propagations and large, destructive avalanches at all elevations.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
- Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
- Stay away from steep slopes, open slopes, and convex rolls at and below treeline where weak layers may be preserved.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Southwesterly winds built wind slabs on leeward northerly and easterly slopes. If triggered, wind slab avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers formed in January persist within the upper 100 cm of snow. The more the snowpack warms up and weakens over these layers, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2025 4:00PM
