Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 20th, 2025–Mar 21st, 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

North Columbia, South Columbia, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, Dogtooth, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold.

Human-triggered avalanches are likely.

Choose conservative terrain and regroup in safe spots.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday a very large (size 3) and two large (size 2) naturally triggered wind slabs were reported on north and east aspects in the alpine. Several other slabs were triggered by explosive control work in the region. On Tuesday five size 3 natural avalanches were reported, two were triggered by cornice failures. Numerous size 2 natural and human-triggered avalanches were also reported.

Large human-triggered avalanches continue to remain likely.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50 cm of new snow has fallen since Monday. A crust can be found on slopes exposed to the sun at or near the surface.

Three persistent weak layers consisting of surface hoar and/or facets are found in the middle of the snowpack. The early March layer is between 80 and 150 cm down. The mid-February layer is between 90 and 170 cm deep and a layer from late January is down around 200 cm. In lower elevations, these layers sit over a crust.

Below this, the snowpack is well settled.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Conservative terrain selection is critical; choose gentle, low consequence lines.
Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.