Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Dogtooth, East Purcell, Purcells.
⚠️Dangerous avalanche conditions⚠️
Stick to low-angle terrain and be mindful of overhead hazard. Human-triggered and remote-triggered avalanches remain likely.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Natural, skier, and explosive-triggered avalanches up to size 3 continue to be reported daily throughout the region since early last week. Many of the reported avalanches have been remote-triggered.
This MIN report details a remotely triggered avalanche near the Gorman Lake area that is characteristic of numerous reports throughout the province recently.
While natural activity has tapered off, human triggering remains a serious problem.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 100 to 120 cm of recent snow rests atop a widespread crust formed in early February. Weak surface hoar and faceted crystals have been found just above or directly atop the crust. This layer continues to produce many concerning avalanches across the province.
The mid and lower snowpack is faceted with depth hoar and is generally weak and untrustworthy.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Wednesday
Sunny. 0 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Thursday
Sunny. 0 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to the presence of deeply buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers remain very sensitive to human triggering and could result in very large avalanches. It is possible to trigger these layers remotely and avalanches have the potential to run full path, so watch your overhead exposure.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Storm Slabs
Recent snow accumulation has formed touchy slabs, especially in wind-exposed terrain. These slabs will remain reactive to human triggering and have the potential to travel full path.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3