Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Mar 25 – 26, 2021Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 6 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watch for wind slabs and cornices in steep alpine terrain, and be careful on sunny slopes when the surface is moist or wet.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Steady wind from the southwest and northwest has likely left some unstable slabs on steep alpine slopes.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Where cornices exist they pose a threat both from the potential to collapse under your feet (or machine) and from the potential to send large chunks of snow far down a slope.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, 30 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -8 C.

FRIDAY: Sunny in the morning then increasing cloud in the afternoon, 30-40 km/h west wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 30 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1800 m, treeline temperatures around -2 C.

SUNDAY: Scattered flurries with 5-15 cm of snow, 40-50 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1800 m, treeline temperatures around -2 C.

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity has primarily been small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches, dry loose sluffs, and cornice falls. These have occured on a range of aspects, and will continue to be possible on slopes that have recently been wind loaded.

Snowpack Summary

The surface consists of 15-25 cm of low density snow on shady sheltered slopes, with sun exposed slopes have a surface crust. Gusty westerly winds have formed some isolated wind slabs in lee features. A total of 20-40 cm of recent snow is settling above a widespread crust from the mid-March warm spell, and perhaps some small surface hoar on isolated north-facing slopes. Deeper layers are strong and have been unreactive over the past few weeks.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Regions covered