Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 4th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs are likely becoming harder to trigger.
Continue to approach ridgelines with caution, slabs may remain reactive where they sit over weak and faceted snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A size 1.5 wind slab was observed yesterday, see photo below.
On Sunday, size 2 avalanches were reported in the Three Guardsman area of Haines Summit. And on Saturday, several size 1.5 wind slabs and a size 2.5 storm slab avalanche were reported in the Big Kahuna area.
Looking forward, wind slabs are expected to become less likely to trigger.
Snowpack Summary
30 cm of recent snowfall has been heavily affected by strong southerly winds. This sits over firm, wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas, faceted (weak) snow in sheltered terrain, and a crust on steep solar aspects. A poor bond to these interfaces may exist.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 60 to 150 cm deep on all aspects up to 1750 m. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity or test results, and is not currently a concern.
Snow depth varies from 120 cm at highway elevations to over 200 cm in the alpine.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop winds, increasing to 60 km/h in the afternoon. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Thursday
Up to 8 cm of snow by Thursday morning.
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow over the day. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with up to 7 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h southerly wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may linger near ridgelines. Watch for signs of instability as you travel, and assess consequential terrain for slabs before committing.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 5th, 2025 4:00PM
