Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Crawford, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Moyie, Purcells, St. Mary, West Purcell.
Rocky, wind-affected areas are a prime suspect for large, human-triggered avalanches.
Seek out sheltered, moderate-angled slopes for the best and safest riding.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Last Tuesday, a large skier-triggered avalanche (see this MIN) occurred in the Kicking Horse backcountry.
On Thursday, storm slabs were reactive to skier traffic (size 1) in alpine and treeline terrain near Golden. Explosive control in the area produced a size 2 persistent slab from north-facing alpine terrain.
A natural (size 2) storm slab was observed near Kaslo from a southwest aspect at treeline on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Continued snowfall adds to 5 to 25 cm of recent new snow. Accompanying southwest wind will redistribute this new snow, forming deeper deposits on leeward slopes at higher elevations.
A layer buried in early December is found roughly 20 to 90 cm below the surface. This layer varies, consisting of weak surface hoar or facetted crystals on shaded slopes and a sun crust with facets on south-facing slopes.
The base of the snowpack is made up of a thick crust and facets in many areas.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 1 to 10 cm of new snow. 10 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 5 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snowfall and wind have formed wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
In the mid-snowpack, buried surface hoar or facets may pose a risk on north-facing slopes, while a buried sun crust could be reactive in south-facing areas.
In shallow snowpack areas, facets at the base of the snowpack are generally weak.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5