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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 4th, 2025–Feb 5th, 2025

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

Regions

Brandywine, Garibaldi, Spearhead, Tantalus.

Reports of avalanche activity are ongoing. Continue to make conservative terrain choices and be aware of overhead hazard. Don't let the sun entice you into hazardous conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous avalanches of all trigger types continue to be reported. Slabs have been failing up to a meter deep.

Notably, a human triggered avalanche with a burial occurred near Squamish on Tuesday. While it was a relatively small avalanche (size 1), it was consequential because of the terrain.

A very large (size 3) natural avalanche occurred near Whistler as a result of a cornice fall. Be aware of overhead hazard, especially in times of increased sun.

Snowpack Summary

50 to 80 cm of snow fell over the weekend. This snow was initially blown around by southeast winds, which have recently switched to outflow winds.

This recent snow is bonding poorly to an underlying weak layer formed during the January drought. Depending on aspect and elevation, the layer may exist as a hard crust, faceted grains and/or surface hoar.

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

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Clear skies. 15 to 25 km/h outflow ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Wednesday

Mainly sunny. Light south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Thursday

Mainly sunny. Light south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday

Increasing cloudiness. 10-20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °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.
  • Conservative terrain selection is critical; choose gentle, low consequence lines.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at alpine and treeline elevations.
  • 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.

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.