Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Purcells.
Watch for wind slabs and cornices in steep alpine terrain, and be careful on sunny slopes when the surface is moist or wet.
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.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Steady wind from the southwest and northwest has likely left some unstable slabs on steep alpine slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Cornices
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.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5