Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bull, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Purcells, West Purcell.
Cool, cloudy weather is keeping conditions generally safe, but take the time to carefully assess steep alpine terrain before committing.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No significant avalanche activity has been reported in several days, though some wet loose and cornice avalanches likely occurred during Friday’s warm, sunny weather.
Snowpack Summary
Most terrain has experienced significant melt-freeze conditions, though some northerly alpine slopes may still hold a few centimetres of dry snow.
While weak layers at the bottom or middle of the snowpack have been a concern throughout the season, the current lack of avalanche activity and benign weather suggest they are not a concern at this time. They could become problematic again this spring whenever temperatures rise significantly.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Increasing cloud. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level drops from 2500 to 1900 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. Light and variable wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Carefully evaluate big and steep terrain features before committing to them.
Avalanche Problems
Cornices
Cornices remain a concern on north-facing alpine slopes. While slab avalanches are unlikely, a large cornice fall could possibly trigger one on the slope below.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2 - 3