Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Feb 9 – 10, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Choose conservative, low consequence terrain

The snowpack is complex and contains multiple layers of concern

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Strong outflow (northeast) wind has formed wind slabs on A variety of aspects. These remain a concern where the upper snowpack feels "slabby".

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Up to 1 m overlies a crust and surface hoar layer from mid January. This layer may still be triggerable on slopes where the upper snowpack feels "slabby".

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2.5–3.5

    Activity on this layer has decreased but if it were triggered the resulting avalanche would be very large and destructive.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1.5, explosive triggered, wind slab avalanches were reported on Friday. These avalanches were on northwest aspects at treeline.

No persistent or deep persistent slab avalanches have been reported in this region since early last week.

Snowpack Summary

Previous strong northeast outflow wind has scour windward terrain and loaded south and west facing slopes at all elevations. In sheltered terrain 30 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a crust and layer of surface hoar from late January.

Another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January and can be found 50 to 100 cm deep.

A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 150 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -21 °C, potential for inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C, potential for inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C, potential for temperature inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

Tuesday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C, potential for inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Regions covered