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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 4th, 2025–Feb 5th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky, South Coast Inland, Homathko, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

Wind slabs continue to build and are reactive to human triggering. Natural activity may increase with sun, be extra aware of overhead hazard including cornices.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There was a report of a large (size 2) natural slab that released on Tuesday on a solar slope.

Explosive control in the Duffey area recently produced several large (size 2-2.5) wind slab avalanches on Sunday.

These are failing at the crust or facet layer that currently exists beneath the storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of snow fell over the weekend. Generally, sheltered snow quality has been excellent, with wind redistribution occurring near ridgetops.

This recent snow is bonding poorly to an underlying weak layer formed during the January drought. Depending on aspect and elevation, the layer may exist as a hard crust, faceted grains and/or surface hoar.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and bonded with no other layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear. 5 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny. Calm. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. Calm. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Friday

Increasing cloudiness. Calm. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at alpine and treeline elevations.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.