Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Dogtooth, East Purcell, Purcells.
It's not time to step out yet. Mild temperatures and sun may increase the likelihood of avalanches on buried weak layers.
Steer clear of overhead hazard, and avoid thin and rocky start zones.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Small wind slabs were reported on Sunday, and reactivity to human triggers is expected to continue with snow available for transport.
Human triggering of very large persistent slab avalanches continues with a size 2 triggered over the weekend. A notable remotely triggered avalanche occurred near Golden on Thursday. And a fatal avalanche occurred in nearby Kananaskis Country on Sunday, where a similar snowpack structure exists.
Snowpack Summary
Light accumulations of storm snow sits over sun crusts on south facing slopes, wind-affected snow at higher elevations, and settling snow elsewhere.
A widespread crust is buried roughly 80-120 cm deep. Weak faceted crystals and surface hoar above this crust are contributing to large avalanches across the province and continue to be the primary layer of concern here.
Additionally, the lower snowpack is mostly made up of weak and faceted layers.
Weather Summary
Monday
Mostly cloudy with possible flurries. 20-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels drop to 1000 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with possible sunny breaks. 10-20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 1800 m. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud with 10-20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 1700 m. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with 40-50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 1800 m. Treeline temperature -2°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Avoid areas where the snowpack thins, like steep, rocky start zones at treeline and alpine elevations. Weak layers are more easily triggered here.
Stick to simple terrain features to minimize exposure to this problem.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Wind Slabs
Reactive wind slabs likely exist on north and east facing slopes around ridgelines. Small wind slabs could step down to deeper weak layers producing very large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2