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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

Sea To Sky, South Coast Inland, Homathko, Spearhead, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

Cold temperatures are keeping the storm slab active

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend, numerous storm slab avalanches were reported, failing on a crust or facet layer beneath the storm snow. Most were artificially triggered by humans or explosives, size 1-2. Some were triggered remotely or sympathetically. The deepest crowns were on wind-loaded northerly aspects just below ridgetop.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of snow fell over the weekend. Generally, sheltered snow quality has been excellent, with wind redistribution occurring near ridgetops.

This recent snow is bonding poorly to an underlying weak layer formed during the January drought. Depending on aspect and elevation, the layer may exist as a hard crust, faceted grains and/or surface hoar.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and bonded with no other layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, trace of new snow. 5 to 15 km/h east-northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Wedneday

Sunny. Calm. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Thursday

Clear skies. Calm. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate angled slopes with low consequences.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes in the alpine.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.

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.