Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bull, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Elkford East, Elkford West, Purcells, South Rockies.
Isolated pockets of wind slab may linger in steep terrain in the alpine.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
We didn't receive any reports of avalanche activity over the weekend. Looking forward, riders may find isolated pockets of small wind slabs lingering in lee terrain features near ridgetop.
Snowpack Summary
Northerly alpine slopes hold 10 to 20 cm of settled storm snow that overlies a hard melt-freeze crust. Isolated wind slabs may linger in steep northerly alpine terrain. All other aspects and everywhere below treeline have a hard surface crust.
The remainder of the upper snowpack is a mix of hard snow and crusts. The lower snowpack contains old weak layers that are currently dormant.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Clear skies. 5 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may linger on shaded aspects in steep, alpine terrain. Assess for slabs prior to entering high-consequence terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5