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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2025–Feb 23rd, 2025

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Jordan, North Selkirk, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Dangerous avalanche conditions persist.

Large avalanches are a concern with a weak layer buried in the snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday:

Several remote, natural and human triggered avalanches were reported on north, east and south aspects. These avalanches were both small and large (up to size 2.5) and in some cases stepped down to persistent weak layers

A prevailing trend is persistent slab avalanches, on south and east aspects, with wind slabs on north aspects.

With more snow, wind, and warm temperatures in the forecast, we anticipate natural avalanche activity to increase in the coming days.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of new snow continues to accumulate atop layers of surface hoar in sheltered terrain and a thin crust on sun-affected slopes.

Below these layers, the upper snowpack is largely faceted and poorly bonded with another layer of surface hoar in sheltered terrain and a thin crust on sun-affected slopes. This layer, buried in late January, varies in depth but generally exists within the upper 100 cm of snow.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow with up to 30 cm in the northwest of the region. 20 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

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.