Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Feb 6 – 7, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.

Seek out sheltered terrain, where the snow is soft and fluffy.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    The storm snow remains dry and powdery in most areas so expect sluffing in steep terrain. Remember to use sluff management techniques.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Storm slabs may remain triggerable by riders. The most likely places to trigger an avalanche are steep, wind-loaded features, just below ridgetops and convex rolls.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Last weekend, numerous small to large storm slab avalanches were reported. They were naturally and human-triggered, with slabs up to 60 cm deep, running on a crust or facet layer beneath the storm snow. This MIN report describes spooky avalanche conditions and remote-triggering in the Seymour area last Sunday. Looking forward, as the storm snow gains strength and bonds, we expect naturally triggered avalanches to be unlikely, but human triggering to remain possible.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 120 cm of storm snow fell during last week's storm. This new snow may contain a thin rain crust buried 40 to 90 cm deep from a brief temperature spike during the storm. The storm snow is slowly settling and remains dry and powdery with the cold temperatures. Upper elevations have had some wind-effect and wind slabs may be found near ridgetops.

The accumulated storm snow is sitting on a weak layer that developed in late January. In most areas, this layer consists of a hard slippery crust. However, on shady, upper-elevation slopes, the new snow may be resting on faceted grains or surface hoar.

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

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 25 to 35 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.
  • Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Use appropriate sluff management techniques.

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