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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 25th, 2025–Feb 26th, 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 avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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 unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Boundary, Stewart, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Avoid large slopes, overhead hazards and steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of a widespread avalanche cycle from last weekend's storm is trickling in. Observations of natural slab avalanches up to (size 3.5) and wet loose from steep terrain up to (size 2.5) occurred during the storm.

Snow, rain, strong southerly wind and rising freezing levels are driving the avalanche hazard for Wednesday. Natural avalanches are expected.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 30 cm of new snow and strong southerly wind is expected by Wednesday afternoon.

This brings 50 to 100 cm sitting above old hard surfaces in wind exposed areas, facets and surface hoar in sheltered terrain, and crust on low elevation solar aspects.

A couple of layers of surface hoar buried in January exist in the top meter of the snowpack at treeline and below.

Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer of facets and a crust from early December varies in depth from 100 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

New snow 10 cm. 40 to 55 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Wednesday

Snow 15 to 20 cm. 20 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Thursday

Snow 10 to 15 cm. 45 to 75 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with a trace of new snow. 10 km south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 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.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.