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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2025–Feb 4th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies, Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Avoid exposed north and east slopes where wind and snow have formed slabs that are more likely to be reactive to human triggering.

Check out the Forecaster Blog "Shifting your Mindset"

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, reports from the area noted significant sluffing in steep terrain.

On Saturday, avalanche control produced several explosive-triggered size 2 wind slab avalanches on northeast aspects at treeline.

We expect new snow will remain reactive to skier traffic on Tuesday, anywhere winds have formed slabs and fast-moving dry loose avalanches in steep terrain. Carefully manage sluffing in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow totals range from 15 to 35 cm, with deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes from wind loading during the storm.

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 at higher elevations.

The lower snowpack is strong and bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy with light flurries, 0 to 2 cm. 20 to 25 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -28 °C.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with light flurries, 0 to 1 cm. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -26 °C.

Wednesday

Mainly sunny. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Thursday

Clear. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °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 careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

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.