Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bull, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Purcells.
The cooler weather has helped to stabilize the snowpack, however we continue to be wary of deeply buried weak layers.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanche activity. Explosives control work in the north of the region produced a size 1.5 soft slab 10 cm deep in steep alpine/treeline terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 10 cm of accumulated new snow over a crust that tapers in thickness at higher elevations.
Below the fresh snow and mentioned crust, there is around 50 cm of moist snow that is drying out and strengthening with cool temperatures. Multiple crust and facet layers exist beneath and the base contains weak faceted grains and depth hoar, which will continue to be monitored for reactivity.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries with 2 to 4 cm accumulation. Alpine wind southwest 5 to 10 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries with 2 to 3 cm accumulation. Alpine wind west 5 to 10 km/h. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with trace accumulation. Alpine wind north 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny breaks. Alpine wind northwest 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are becoming stubborn but may be triggered by riders in steep lee terrain features.
Aspects: North, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Multiple weak layers in the snowpack remain a concern. Most specifically facets on crust near the base of the snowpack. Be especially cautious in areas where the recently formed crusts near the surface are not supportive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3