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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2025–Feb 4th, 2025

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Boundary, Stewart, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Avoid areas where the wind is actively depositing snow, wind slabs are most reactive as they are forming.

Very large avalanches are a continuing concern in alpine terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, explosive testing produced a few small (size 1) wind slabs.

On Saturday, large (size 2.5) natural wind slab avalanches were observed on west aspects in the alpine. Two very large (size 3) deep persistent slabs occurred on steep north-facing terrain at 1900 m.

Over the past week, three deep persistent avalanches were reported on north and south aspect terrain in the alpine. This hazard remains relevant, especially in steep areas with variable snowpack depth.

Snowpack Summary

Between 30 to 60 cm of light and dry snow is being redistributed by strong north east wind, reverse loading features at all elevations.

A layer of surface hoar was buried near the end of January and can be found between 50 to 90 cm deep.

Buried weak layers from December are 150 to 250 cm deep. These include crusts, facets, and/or surface hoar, and continue to produce large avalanches.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear. 50 to 75 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Tuesday

Sunny. 50 to 75 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny. 10 to 25 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.