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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2025–Feb 18th, 2025

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

Regions

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

Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.

The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, several small size 1-1.5 natural and rider-triggered storm and wind slab avalanches were reported failing in the recent storm snow. A few isolated ones ran on the persistent weak layer. Widespread small loose dry avalanches were also reported.

On Saturday, riders triggered a few small avalanches on unsupported features and ridgeline entrances to steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

The region has received around 15 to 30 cm of low-density snow in the last storm, burying a new layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas and a thin sun crust on sun-affected slopes. Upper elevations in parts of the region have seen some wind effect and wind slabs building on leeward slopes. These slabs have been reported as reactive and easy to trigger. A persistent weak layer formed at the end of January is now buried approximately 30 to 70 cm. This layer is a crust on sun-exposed slopes, surface hoar in shaded, sheltered terrain, and weak faceted grains elsewhere. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatrure -11 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.

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.