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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 14th, 2025–Feb 15th, 2025

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

Regions

Purcells, Esplanade, Dogtooth, East Purcell, St. Mary.

Remain cautious in high-consequence terrain.

Wind slabs may be reactive to human triggering in the alpine.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a small naturally triggered wind slab occurred near Panorama and a skier triggered a large (size 2) loose dry avalanche in the Esplanades.

On Wednesday, a small remotely triggered wind slab occurred on a southwest alpine slope. Explosives triggered large cornices which then triggered a slab below. Whumpfing and shooting cracks were observed here.

Looking forward, we expect human triggering of small wind slabs and loose dry avalanches to remain possible.

Snowpack Summary

Exposed terrain in the alpine and treeline is generally wind-affected. In sheltered terrain, 10 to 40 cm of faceted snow overlies a weak layer from late January. This layer consists of a crust on sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar on all other aspects. A weak layer of facets from early December is buried 60 to 120 cm. The base of the snowpack consists of a thick crust with facets or depth hoar in many areas.

 

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 5 to 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.