Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended on Monday.

The new storm snow is not bonding well to old surfaces. Human-triggered avalanches are very likely. Stick to conservative terrain.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, numerous natural and human-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported up to size 3. Storm slab avalanches were reported at all elevations.

On Saturday, numerous human-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported up to size 2 in treeline and below treeline features.

If you are headed to the backcountry, please consider sharing your photos and observations from your day on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 110 cm of storm snow blankets the region. Strong southwest winds have redistributed storm snow into deep pockets on lee slopes at the ridgeline. Storm snow covers a crust on all aspects except on high north facing terrain, where new snow buries 10 to 15 cm of snow overlying a crust from earlier in March.

A layer of facets and surface hoar from mid February can be found down 100 to 140 cm.

Another layer of facets and surface hoar from late January can be found down 150 to 200 cm.

The lower snowpack contains several crusts that are not concerning.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level drops to 800 m.

Monday

Cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 2 cm. 20 to 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level around 800 m.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy with light flurries, 2 to 9 cm. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy with light flurries, 5 to 8 cm. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Storms slabs have been reactive at all elevations.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers and result in very large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Up to 110 cm of storm snow and strong winds have built reactive storm slabs at all elevations. Back off if you encounter signs of instability like whumpfing, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Weak layers remain a concern in high, north-facing terrain where snowpack depth is variable. These layers are still adjusting to the new snow load and may be reactive to human-triggering.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2025 4:00PM

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