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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 25th, 2025–Mar 26th, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

North Rockies, McBride, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Persistent slab avalanches become more likely to occur as temperatures rise.

As the day warms up, step back to more conservative terrain free from overhead hazard.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

One large (size 2) wind slab was seen from a cross-loaded steep feature on Monday.

On Saturday, a large (size 3) natural wind slab failed on a northeast aspect in the alpine, west of Mcbride.

Avalanches are expected to occur on Wednesday with rising temperatures and buried weak layers.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 30 cm of recent snow will be warming with rising temperatures and sunshine.

The early March crust / surface hoar persistent weak layer is down 50 to 90 cm. The greatest concern for this layer is on sheltered north and east-facing upper-elevation terrain. Another weak layer of facets or surface hoar from mid-February lies 70 to 100 cm deep. This layer appears to be strengthening and has not caused any recent avalanches. The lower snowpack remains well-settled with no layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

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

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

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.