Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Mar 11 – 12, 2019Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Some new snow arriving with wind will contunue to promote wind slab development.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5
    Recent low new snow has been redistributed by southerly winds to form slabs in the lee of terrain features. Wind slabs will continue to build as new snow begins to accumulate and the wind picks up Monday afternoon.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

MONDAY Night: Snow, accumulation 5-10 cm / moderate southwest wind / alpine temperature -9 CTUESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 5 cm  / light northwest wind  / alpine temperature -6 C / freezing level 1200 m WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / light west wind / alpine temperature -8 C / freezing level 1000 mTHURSDAY:  Cloudy with sunny periods / light southwest wind  / alpine temperature - 7 C / freezing level 1100 m

Avalanche Summary

Reports on Sunday indicate natural and human triggered storm and wind slab avalanches to size 1.5 on north and southwest aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in January and February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanches on these layers are infrequent, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades and south facing slopes.The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust.

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