Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 16th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
A buried weak layer is best managed with conservative terrain choices.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, numerous small wind slabs were triggered by riders as well as many dry loose avalanches and sluffs.
On Wednesday, a rider remotely triggered a persistent slab avalanche (size 2) on an east-facing slope just above 2000 m. (See photo below)
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20 cm of recent snow sits on a layer of surface hoar from the middle of February, or a thin sun crust on steep south-facing slopes.
Below that, 20 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a persistent weak layer from late January. This layer is either a crust on sun-exposed slopes or surface hoar on all other aspects. It is most reactive where a slab has formed above this layer. You can read more about slabs in this blog.
The lower snowpack is generally well settled.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 2 to 3 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Sunny. 10 to 25 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar buried 20 to 60 cm has been reactive where a slab sits above it.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Dry loose avalanches can gather more snow as they move downhill and become large. Manage your group so you aren't above one another.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 17th, 2025 4:00PM
