Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Feb 18 – 19, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    New wind slabs have developed at higher elevations in areas that received new snow and wind.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    There are a couple of older layers of buried surface hoar and crust combinations that are buried down about 70 cms and 100 cms, that may be triggered by large additional loads.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    The buried February 12th surface hoar layer is expected to continue to be reactive. The amount of snow above the weak layer is variable across the region.

Confidence

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Tuesday: A weak upper trough is forecast to move across the region tonight bringing moderate Southwest winds. The trough should continue to influence the interior regions on Tuesday. Expect mostly cloudy conditions with light winds and very light precipitation. Freezing levels are expected to rise to about 1000 metres during the day.Wednesday: The next weak ridge of high pressure should move into the interior ranges to fill in behind the trough as it exits into Alberta. Expect gradually clearing skies, light winds and freezing levels near the valley bottoms. There is a chance of some strong solar radiation in the afternoon.Thursday: Another trough is expected to drift into the interior from the coast. Snow fall amounts are un-certain at this time.

Avalanche Summary

There was one report of a skier controlled avalanche size 1.0 on an East aspect in the alpine on Sunday that was about 20 cms deep.

Snowpack Summary

The latest storm did not make it into most of the region. The February 12th weak layer of surface hoar is buried down anywhere from 15 cms in the Northeast of the region to 60 cms in the Southwest of the region. The January 23rd layer is buried down about 100 cms and continues to be a concern for professionals. Cornices are reported to be large and weak, and may fall off naturally.

Regions covered