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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2025–Feb 4th, 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

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary.

Although natural avalanche activity is tapering off new snow remains reactive to human triggering due to a buried weak layer.

Check out the new Forecaster Blog "Shifting your Mindset".

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, natural and explosive-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported to size 2. Several human-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported to size 1.5.

On Saturday, a suspected skier remote triggered, storm slab avalanche was observed in the Whitewater area, size 2.5. This occurred on a north facing treeline slope. The crown was 30 to 70 cm deep and ran on a buried layer of surface hoar.

Numerous reports from backcountry users report cracking and whumphing.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow totals range from 30 to 55 cm. Deeper deposits are found in wind-loaded areas. The new snow is bonding poorly to old surfaces, which include melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes, surface hoar or facets on shaded slopes, and wind-affected snow in exposed terrain.

A weak layer of surface hoar buried, 30 to 80cm deep, has been the culprit of many natural and human-triggered avalanches through the weekend. Where this layer is preserved it will remain reactive to human triggering.

The lower snowpack is strong and bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy with light flurries, 0 to 2 cm of snow. 15 to 25 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy with a chance of flurries, 1 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with light flurries, 1 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Thursday

Clear. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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.