Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Dogtooth, East Purcell, Purcells, West Purcell.
Keep an eye on changing conditions. Small wind slabs may have formed near ridge crests.
Use extra caution in shallow snowpack areas where triggering avalanches is more likely.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Small natural and human triggered wind slab avalanches continue to be reported in the region. These avalanches have been on west and south aspects at treeline and above.
On Wednesday a small skier triggered persistent slab Avalanche was reported on Mount Goldie. This avalanche likely released on the weak layer from early December. For more info check out the MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
New wind slabs have likely formed as a result of moderate southwest winds and light snowfall.
The upper snowpack contains a variety of layers including one or more surface hoar layers just below the surface in sheltered terrain and a crust on or near the surface on solar aspects.
A weak layer buried in early December can be found down 30 cm in shallow areas and as much as 120 cm in deep snowpack areas. On shaded slopes, it consists of weak surface hoar or faceted crystals, while on south-facing slopes, it combines a sun crust with facets.
The snowpack base is composed of a thick crust and facets in many areas.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with snow flurries 1 to 2 cm. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with snow flurries 1 to 2 cm. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with snow flurries 1 to 2 cm. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
The wind has come from a variety of directions over the past couple days. Small wind slabs could be found on all aspects in terrain at treeline and above elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The weak layer from early December remains a concern in shallow snowpack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3