Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 26th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Dangerous avalanche conditions continue.Avoid large slopes, overhead hazards and steep terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, reports saw numerous wet loose avalanches (up to size 2.5) primarily from south facing slopes and all aspects below treeline. Explosive control produced one persistent slab (size 1.5) at treeline on a southeast aspect and several wind slabs (size 1 to 1.5) which were remotely triggered from 400 m away.
Natural and human triggered slab avalanches are very likely on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 30 cm of new snow and strong southerly wind is expected by Thursday morning.
The upper metre of the snowpack is complicated. This snow sits above several significant weak layers that formed during the January and February dry spells. These include facets, surface hoar (in sheltered terrain), and crust on solar aspects. These layers are currently reactive.
Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer of facets and a crust from early December varies in depth from 100 to 300 cm. This layer also remains a concern in this region.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
New snow 10 to 20 cm. 15 gusting to 65 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud with snow 5 to 10 cm. 20 to 55 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Friday
Snow 5 to 10 cm. 10 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 km southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 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.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs sit on a weak interface and will likely be reactive with new snow, strong southerly wind and rising freezing levels.
Wet loose avalanches are likely where precipitation falls as rain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer buried 100 to 300 cm remains a concern. Avoid shallow rocky areas where the snow transitions from thick to thin and triggering this layer is more likely.
If triggered the resulting avalanche would be very large and destructive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 27th, 2025 4:00PM
