Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bull, East Purcell, Elkford East, Elkford West, Purcells, South Rockies.
Recent snowfall is adding to the load on a buried weak layer.
Choose conservative routes and be mindful of wind-loaded slopes.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Several large (up to size 2.5) natural and human-triggered persistent slab avalanches were observed near Invermere on Saturday. Mostly northwest, through north, to east aspects at all elevations.
On Friday, a skier triggered a large (size 2) persistent slab avalanche near Invermere. It occurred at treeline, on a steep slope.
Information is very limited at the moment. Please consider submitting a MIN.
Snowpack Summary
40-50 cm of soft snow sits on a layer of surface hoar on shaded slopes, or a thin crust on sunny slopes.
There is a crust from early November at the base of the snowpack. The crust may have weak, sugary facets on top, if this is the case large avalanches are possible. Snowpack depths are expected to be 50-70 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
TuesdayA mix of sun and cloud, clearing, no new snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
WednesdayA mix of sun and cloud with 1 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Choose simple, low-angle terrain without steep convex rolls.
- Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
- Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
- Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Large avalanches are possible where weak, sugary facets sit on top of a crust near the base of the snowpack. This problem is most likely found in the alpine and at treeline on smooth slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Variable wind direction over the last couple of days could have created wind slabs on all aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5