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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 2nd, 2025–Feb 3rd, 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

Purcells, Dogtooth, East Purcell.

Although natural avalanche activity is tapering off new snow remains reactive to human triggering due to a buried weak layer.

Check out the new Forecaster Blog "Shifting your Mindset".

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, explosive avalanche control triggered several size 1 to 2 storm slab avalanches on all aspects.

New snow is reactive to skier traffic. Expect slabs anywhere deeper deposits have formed and fast-moving dry loose avalanches in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow totals range from 30 to 50 cm, with deeper deposits in wind-loaded areas. The new snow is bonding poorly to old surfaces, which include melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes, surface hoar or facets on shaded slopes, and wind-affected snow at higher elevations.

A weak layer of facets from early December is buried 50 to 100 cm deep, or as shallow as 30 cm near Invermere. While recently inactive, this layer could reawaken with new load.

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

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 6 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with light flurries, 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Wednesday

Mainly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

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.