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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 13th, 2025–Mar 14th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Glacier, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, Dogtooth, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold.

40 cm or more of storm snow and wind have formed reactive slabs. When the sun comes out and temperatures rise, expect avalanche activity to be very likely.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Many small to large (size 1 to 3) storm, wind slab, and cornice avalanches were either triggered naturally, by humans, or by explosives on Wednesday. These occurred at treeline and alpine elevations primarily on north aspects. Most slabs were 50 to 80 cm deep.

With new snow and daytime warming, human-triggered avalanches will be very likely on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

On Thursday, 20 to 30 cm of new snow fell, accompanied by moderate southwest winds, forming new storm and wind slabs. Since last Saturday, up to 90 cm of storm snow has accumulated, sitting on a hard melt-freeze crust and surface hoar crystals in wind-sheltered areas.

Weak layers of surface hoar and/or faceted grains, buried in mid-February and late January, are found 60 to 150 cm deep.

The lower half of the snowpack remains strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

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.