Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Feb 20 – 21, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The weather forecast is calling for a gradual warming trend for the next few days. Watch for a buried persistent weak layer to become reactive.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    A weak layer surface hoar and/or facets is buriesd 40 to 60 cm and may become more reactive as the temperature rises in the coming days.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Loose dry avalanches will be likely in steep terrain where new snow hasn't formed a slab.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday there were reports of large (size 2) dry loose avalanches running in steep terrain. These were stepping down to a weak layer of facets buried in late January. Expect this layer of facets to become more reactive as the temperature gradually warms and snow above becomes more cohesive.

Snowpack Summary

Around 25 cm of new snow that fell over the weekend sits on 20 to 40 cm of mostly faceted snow. This all sits on a weak layer of surface hoar or facets buried in late January.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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