Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 14th, 2025–Feb 15th, 2025

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Long Range Mountains, Corner Brook, Gros Morne, Northern Peninsula.

The best riding and lowest avalanche danger will be in low-angle meadows and clearings that are out of the wind. Avoid being on or under any steep snowy slopes that are exposed to the wind.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday in the Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park, our field team saw evidence of several large (size 2) wind slab avalanches triggered by cornices falling on the slope below.

See their MIN (Mountain Information Network) post for photos and more information, as well as their Instagram post for a video of one.

Looking forward to Saturday, we expect that natural and human triggered avalanches will be likely on any steep slopes, especially those that are wind-loaded.

Snowpack Summary

60-100 cm of new snow is forecasted to have accumulated from Friday morning until Saturday evening. With strong to extreme wind in the hills, fresh, reactive wind slabs will likely form on leeward (east and southeast) slopes on Saturday.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally dense and strong.

Recent wind has varied in direction, but the general trend this season has been sustained west and northwest wind, so expect slopes facing that prevailing wind to have thin or no snow cover. The snowpack in loaded bowls and gullies on south and east facing slopes may be 300 to 500 cm deep.

Sheltered areas may hold 150 cm of snow or more.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 15 to 30 cm of snow. 70 to 90 km/h west or northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 15 to 30 cm of snow. Ridgetop wind easing to 50 to 70 km/h west or northwest. Treeline low -13 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low -9 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 70 to 80 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline low -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.