Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 4th, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Use extra caution in areas where the snowpack changes from thick to thin, especially near ridge crests.

This is where triggering avalanches is most likely

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported yesterday. Our field team observed some old size 1 wind slab avalanches that likely occurred over the weekend. Check out their MIN for more info.

There have been no recent reports of persistent slab avalanches, but uncertainty remains regarding the early December layer mentioned in the snowpack summary.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 25 cm of old storm snow has been redistributed into hard wind slab by moderate northerly winds.

A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer exists on all aspects up to around 1700 m.

At the highway elevation the snow is 120 cm deep and in the alpine exceeds 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear skies. 15 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -22 °C, potential for temperature inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C, potential for temperature inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slab may still be found on reverse loaded features due to ongoing outflow wind.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The early December weak layer may still be triggered in shallow, thin-to-thick areas, or with large loads like a cornice or an avalanche that releases further up in the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 5th, 2025 4:00PM

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