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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 20th, 2025–Jan 21st, 2025

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

Regions

Purcells, Crawford, Dogtooth, East Purcell, West Purcell.

Seek out wind-sheltered terrain for the softest snow and the lowest hazard.

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

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Some small loose dry avalanches were reported in the central Purcells on Sunday.

Last Thursday and Friday, several size 1-2 wind slab avalanches were reported across the Eastern Purcells. Looking forward, we suspect wind slabs may remain possible to trigger in isolated areas, especially where they overlie a layer of surface hoar.

Reports have been limited. If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind-affect exists in most open upper-elevation areas, extending down into the treeline. Sheltered areas still have soft snow and good riding.

Wind slabs formed last week have strengthened but may still be triggered in isolated areas, particularly where they sit atop a layer of surface hoar or facets from early January, buried 20–40 cm deep.

A persistent weak layer of facets buried in early December is on average 60 to 90 cm deep. Near Invermere, this layer may only be buried 30 cm.

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

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 15 to 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °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.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.