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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2021–Mar 27th, 2021

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

Regions

Purcells.

Watch for wind slabs and cornices in steep alpine terrain, and be careful on sunny slopes when the surface is moist or wet.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, 40 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperatures around -4 C.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 30-50 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbing to at least 1800 m, treeline temperatures around -2 C.

SUNDAY: Scattered flurries with 5-15 cm of snow, 40-50 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1800 m, treeline temperatures around -2 C.

MONDAY: Another 5-10 cm of snow by the morning then cloudy with isolated flurries during the day, 20 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -8 C.

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity has been limited to small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches, dry loose sluffs, and cornice falls. These have occurred on a range of aspects, and will continue to be possible on wind-loaded or sun-exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

The surface consists of 10-20 cm of dry snow on shady sheltered slopes and moist and crusty surfaces on sun exposed slopes. Gusty westerly winds have formed some isolated wind slabs in lee features. A widespread crust layer from the mid-March warm spell can be found 20-40 cm deep, and small surface hoar has been observed at this depth on some isolated north-facing slopes. Reports suggest the snow is generally well bonded to these layers. Deeper layers are strong and have been unreactive over the past few weeks.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.