Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 22nd, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
The Purcells received a huge dump of new snow over the last few days, which has added a lot of load to the snowpack. Recent avalanches have been very large, and triggering avalanches remains likely. Choose simple terrain and avoid overhead exposure to avalanche terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm / southwest wind, 10-30 km/h / alpine low temperature near -6
MONDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm / southwest wind, 10-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6
TUESDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / light southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -7
WEDNESDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -12
Avalanche Summary
A deep persistent weak layer in the snowpack has been responsible for some very large and destructive recent avalanches. The potential for very large avalanches still exists in the region.
On Sunday, there were numerous reports of natural and human triggered avalanches size 2-2.5 and explosives triggered avalanches up to size 4. A number of these avalanches were reported to have run on the deep persistent weak layer near the base of the snowpack.
Avalanche activity was widespread on Saturday with reports of natural, human and explosives triggered avalanches up to size 3.
On Friday there were reports of numerous natural, human and explosives triggered avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
The Purcells received a whopping 60-120 cm of new snow since Thursday night. Storm slabs are likely widespread and are expected to continue to be reactive on Monday.
There may be two layers of surface hoar buried between 70-180 cm. These layers likely exists mostly in sheltered areas at treeline and may be reactive to human triggers.
The base of the snowpack is generally quite weak and consists of a crust, facets and depth hoar. This deeper weakness in the snowpack has been responsible for numerous recent avalanches and remains a big concern in the region.
Terrain and Travel
- Stick to simple terrain and be aware of what is above you at all times.
- Avoid the runout zones of avalanche paths. Avalanches could run full path.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers resulting in very large avalanches.
Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2019 5:00PM
