Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Crawford, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Purcells, West Purcell.
Seek out wind-sheltered terrain for the softest snow and the lowest hazard.
Remain cautious in wind-affected terrain and avoid steep, rocky slopes with shallow snow cover.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Some small loose dry avalanches were reported in the central Purcells on Sunday.
Last Thursday and Friday, several size 1-2 wind slab avalanches were reported across the Eastern Purcells. Looking forward, we suspect wind slabs may remain possible to trigger in isolated areas, especially where they overlie a layer of surface hoar.
Reports have been limited. If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Widespread wind-affect exists in most open upper-elevation areas, extending down into the treeline. Sheltered areas still have soft snow and good riding.
Wind slabs formed last week have strengthened but may still be triggered in isolated areas, particularly where they sit atop a layer of surface hoar or facets from early January, buried 20–40 cm deep.
A persistent weak layer of facets buried in early December is on average 60 to 90 cm deep. Near Invermere, this layer may only be buried 30 cm.
The snowpack base consists of a thick crust and facets or depth hoar in many areas.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Clear. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 15 to 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds have varied in direction, use caution when entering wind-affected terrain. Wind slabs are expected to be most reactive where they overlie facets or surface hoar.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The early December weak layer remains a concern in areas with a shallow snowpack, particularly on steep, rocky, slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3