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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 7th, 2025–Mar 8th, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

Avalanche danger will increase as the new snow piles up.

Plan to reduce your exposure to avalanche terrain after noon.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday there was a large (size 2) natural wind slab from extreme terrain in Kakwa. (see photo)

As the new snow piles up, avalanche activity will increase. Weak layers buried in the snowpack mean larger than expected avalanches may occur.

Snowpack Summary

Ongoing snowfall adds to 5 cm over a melt-freeze crust on all aspects to 1600 m.

A weak layer of surface hoar or facets is found 20 to 50 cm down in many areas. A second weak layer buried 60 to 90 cm consists of surface hoar, facets, and/or a hard crust. These persistent layers remain a concern, with the potential for large step-down avalanches.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with 5 to 20 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.

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.

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.