Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, East Purcell, Elkford East, Elkford West, Purcells, South Rockies.
A dangerous avalanche problem exists.
Stick to low-angle slopes free from terrain traps and overhead hazards.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Several large (size 2-2.5) natural persistent slab avalanches were observed near Invermere on Thursday. They occurred in the alpine on west to north aspects.
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
Friday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 cm of snow.10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
SundayMix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
MondayMostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °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.
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, in steep rocky areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 2.5