Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 21st, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Choose mellow terrain or indoor activities while the snowpack adjusts to rapid change.
Heavy snow, rain and extreme wind are increasing avalanche danger and decreasing comfort.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, several small (up to size 1) natural and human triggered wind slab avalanches were reported in the recent storm snow.
Widespread natural avalanche activity should be expected heading into the weekend as a series of storms brings heavy snowfall and rain.
Snowpack Summary
At higher elevations, new snow continues to pile up over old wind-affected snow, facets, surface hoar, and/or a melt-freeze crust. The new snow doesn't seem to be sticking well to the old surface. In exposed terrain, the wind has redistributed the storm snow into fresh wind slabs on leeward slopes.
On Saturday, the rain will be reaching higher, up to mountaintops in some places, soaking surfaces that were previously dry.
A widespread crust, sometimes accompanied by a thin layer of weak facets, was buried 30-70 cm beneath predominantly low-density snow before the storm.
The mid and lower snowpack contains no other layers of concern.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with moderate rain below 1500 m, 5 to 15 cm of snow above. 60 to 75 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high 1 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with heavy rain below 1000 m, 20 to 40 cm of snow above. Possibly much more on the west side of the Island. 70 to 100 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high 2 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with moderate rain below 1500 m, 10 to 20 cm above. Possibly much more on the west side of the Island. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1500 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with light to moderate rain below 1200 m. 5 to 15 cm of snow above. Possibly much more on the west side and south end of the Island. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind in the morning, getting lighter and shifting to southeast through the day. Freezing level around 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Problems
Storm Slabs
With new snow, strong winds, and warm temperatures, storm slabs will quickly become reactive anywhere that dry or moist snow starts to pile up.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches are expected on steep slopes as the rain line gets higher and soaks the upper snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A combination of buried surface hoar, facets, and old crust may become reactive with the addition of new snow or rain. Be wary of larger triggers like falling cornices, motorized vehicles, or smaller avalanches in motion.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 22nd, 2025 4:00PM
