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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2025–Mar 1st, 2025

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

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Jordan, North Selkirk, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Big scary avalanches!!

Strong sun and warm temperatures will further destabilize an already dangerous and volatile snowpack.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Over the last few days, numerous natural, explosive and human-triggered avalanches (up to size 4) were reported across various elevations and aspects. Many of these avalanches failed on the late January persistent weak layer.

Strong evidence indicates wind slabs and persistent weak layers remain primed for human triggering. Large natural activity can also be expected on Saturday with warming and strong sun.

Read more in our Forecasters' Blog.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of settling storm snow generally rests on a weak layer of facets or surface hoar, while elsewhere it overlies a widespread crust. At lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes, warm temperatures and solar radiation resulted in a crust or moist snow. Another persisent weak layer, buried in late January, lies 50 to 100 cm deep across the region. This layer also consists of surface hoar/facets or a crust, depending on aspect. The remaining snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clearing. 5 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Saturday

Mostly clear with valley cloud. 5 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level rises to 2700 m.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Remote triggering is a big concern, be aware of the potential for wide propagations and large, destructive avalanches at all elevations.
  • Avalanche danger is expected to to increase throughout the day, think carefully about your exit plan from the backcountry.
  • Avoid the runout zones of avalanche paths. Avalanches could run full path.

Problems

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.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.