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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 19th, 2025–Feb 20th, 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, 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

North Rockies, McBride, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Tumbler.

Watch out for new and reactive wind slabs forming throughout the day.

For the best and safest riding, seek out areas sheltered from wind-effect.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent slab avalanches have been reported.

Looking forward, a stormy period is forecast over the next few days and we expect the likelihood of avalanches and danger to rise accordingly with new snow amounts.

Reports have been limited, if you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN post.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow is expected by Thursday afternoon, (highest amounts forecast for Pine Pass) accompanied by strong southwesterly winds. Expect to find extensive wind-effect in wind-exposed areas, including fresh wind slabs and sastrugi. In wind-sheltered terrain any new snow will fall on a faceted snowpack, and in some areas, surface hoar. A weak layer from late January consisting of surface hoar/facets or a thin crust may be found 25 to 40 cm deep. A hard melt-freeze crust from mid-January may exist approximately 50 to 100 cm deep. These two January weak layers may become a concern as more snow accumulates overtop in the coming days. The rest of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow - highest amounts for the Pine Pass. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 0 to 6 cm of snow - highest amounts for the Pine Pass. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 60 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

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.