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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 17th, 2012–Mar 18th, 2012

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

Purcells.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

There are remnants of a system moving up from south of the border that may bring some moisture into the South Columbia mountains on Saturday night. Unsettled conditions are expected across the Interior regions again on Sunday. Some areas may see periods of heavy convective flurries, while others may see broken skies or scattered cloud. Winds should stay mostly light from the south, and the freezing level is expected to drop to the valley bottom Saturday night and then rise to about 800 metres on Sunday. Monday is forecast to be unsettled again, but with more likelihood of sunny periods. A Pacific frontal system is expected to start moving in from the coast on Tuesday bringing strong westerly winds and heavy precipitation.

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control work on Friday resulted in slab avalanches on various aspects up to size 3.5. There was one report of a natural avalanche size 3.5 that may have run Thursday afternoon or evening.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5-10 cm of new snow overnight combines with the 30-40 cm of snow on Friday morning to form a soft slab that is sitting on the recent storm snow. The combined slab above the mid-february persistent weak layer is now between 150-200 cm. Some operators continue to get easy-moderate sudden planar character shears on the mid-february surface hoar in shallow areas. The persistent weak layer continues to be a concern at all elevations, and may show wide propagations on low angle terrain below treeline. The new snow may consolidate and release naturally if the skies clear and we get some strong solar radiation. Snowpack conditions continue to be tricky to evaluate, and are variable throughout the region.

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.

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.