Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Mar 31 – Apr 1, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Rapid warming will increase the likelihood of triggering large avalanches.

The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    15 to 30 cm of recent snow and southwest wind formed wind slabs in isolated locations below alpine ridgecrests.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Rapid warming increases the likelihood of triggering very large avalanches on deeply buried weak layers.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Expect the high freezing levels and sunshine to trigger wet loose avalanches on all but true north aspects in the alpine.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous naturally triggered size 1 dry and wet loose avalanches were reported on all aspects in steep terrain on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Strong solar radiation has formed a surface crust everywhere except north facing terrian at upper elevations.

15 to 30 cm of recent snow and southwest wind formed wind slabs in specific locations below alpine ridgecrests. The recent snow overlies a crust on all but north facing aspects at treeline and above where a weak layer of surface hoar may be present.

A widespread crust with facets above is down 60 to 110 cm. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer.

Weak facets at the base of the snowpack remain a concern in steep, rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6° C. Freezing level 800 m.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3° C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Tuesday

Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6° C. Freezing level 2800 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2° C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
  • If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Regions covered