Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Dec 10 – 11, 2012Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    There are two layers of buried surface hoar in the region. Neither have been reactive since the last storm. Professionals are still concerned about these layers in unsupported terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Soft surface slabs are expected to develop into wind slabs due to the forecast strong westerly winds and new snow.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Tuesday: A warm front is moving across the region tonight and a trailing cold front should move through the region in the morning. The West of the region may get up to 10 mm of precipitation starting early in the morning. Expect very strong westerly winds. The system may dry out quite a bit in the South and East (3-5 mm). Alpine temperatures -8.0 and freezing levels rising to 1000 metres.Wednesday: There is a weak ridge between systems that should bring light precipitation (3-5 mm), light Northerly winds and temperatures down to -12.0 in the alpine.Thursday: The next frontal system is looking weak at this time. Expect light precipitation and SW winds. Check back tomorrow for an update.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity reported.

Snowpack Summary

There has been a lot of unconsolidated surface snow (about 30-40 cms) that is now available for transport by the forecast strong Westerly winds. Expect wind slabs to develop in the alpine and at treeline. Heavy sluffing may continue to be experienced in sheltered locations. There is still concern about the weak surface hoar layer that is buried down about 100 cms; it may become reactive with the additional load of the new storm.

Regions covered