Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 23rd, 2025–Jan 24th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Purcells, Dogtooth, East Purcell, West Purcell.

Seek out terrain sheltered from the wind for the softest snow and the lowest avalanche danger.

Use caution in wind-affected terrain and avoid steep, rocky slopes with shallow snow cover.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, west of Invermere, a large (size 2) naturally triggered slab avalanche was reported in south facing alpine terrain, along with a few small wind slab avalanches in extreme terrain.

On Tuesday, near Bugaboo Provincial Park, a large (size 3), explosive triggered deep persistent slab avalanche was reported in south facing alpine terrain. Other explosives in similar terrain produced smaller results.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find wind-affected surfaces in exposed treeline terrain and above.

Sheltered areas still have soft snow and good riding.

A layer of facets or surface hoar buried in early December may be found down 50-100 cm, or as shallow as 30 cm around Invermere. It seems that this layer has gained strength and is no longer a significant problem.

The snowpack base consists of a thick crust and facets or depth hoar in many areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy. 20-30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion above 2000 m. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.