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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 27th, 2025–Feb 28th, 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, Jordan, North Selkirk, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Recent widespread & large avalanche activity indicates an unstable snowpack.

Continue to make conservative terrain choices as remote-triggering remains a serious concern.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the last few days numerous natural, explosive and human-triggered avalanches (up to size 4) were reported across various elevations and aspects. Some involved only storm snow, while others failed up to 100 cm deep on the late January persistent weak layer. At treeline and below, some avalanches became wet, entraining significant debris.

Strong evidence indicates storm slabs and persistent weak layers remain primed for human triggering.

Snowpack Summary

A recent storm deposited 30 to 50 cm of snow across the region and southwesterly winds formed reactive slabs on leeward slopes. At lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes, warm temperatures and solar radiation resulted in a crust or moist snow. In wind-sheltered areas, the storm snow generally rests on a weak layer of facets or surface hoar, while elsewhere it overlies a widespread crust. Another persisent weak layer, buried in late January, lies 50 to 100 cm deep across the region. This layer also consists of surface hoar/facets or a crust, depending on aspect. The remaining snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level around 2100 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 25 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level falling to valley bottom overnight, then rising to 2600 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level falling to valley bottom overnight, then rising to 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.
  • Remote triggering is a big concern, be aware of the potential for wide propagations and large, destructive avalanches at all elevations.
  • Stay away from steep slopes, open slopes, and convex rolls at and below treeline where weak layers may be preserved.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.

Problems

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.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.