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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 12th, 2025–Feb 13th, 2025

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

Regions

Purcells, Esplanade, Dogtooth, East Purcell.

Wind slabs may be reactive to human triggering in the alpine.

Assess snowpack conditions as you travel through the terrain.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday a few human triggered wind slabs were reported up to size 1 in north-facing, alpine terrain.

If you head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN post!

Snowpack Summary

Exposed terrain in the alpine and treeline is generally wind-affected. In sheltered terrain 10 to 40 cm of faceted snow overlies a weak layer from late January. This layer consists of a crust on sun exposed slopes and a layer of surface hoar on all other aspects.

A weak layer of facets from early December is 60 to 120 cm deep.

The base of the snowpack consists of a thick crust with facets or depth hoar in many areas.

 

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Clear with cloudy periods. 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud with a trace of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Problems

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.