Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Feb 1 – 2, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Avalanche Danger will stay elevated as long as the freezing level stays high.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Wet loose avalanche activity can be expected from steep terrain. These avalanches could entrain significant mass and gouge to ground in shallow snowpack areas.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Rain and warm temperatures have impacted a weak and facetted snowpack. Wet slab avalanches could fail on or step down to buried weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack resulting in very large avalanches.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4

    If triggered, this problem will likely be the full depth of the snowpack and could run below treeline. Avoid shallow, rocky start zones.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches to run full path or even longer.
  • Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.

Confidence

Moderate

Snowpack Summary

Rain has created a moist or wet upper snowpack at all elevations. A weak surface crust may have formed overnight but will break down quickly throughout the day.

The mid-snowpack has a couple of crusts and is generally faceted and weak above and below them.

At the base of the snowpack, weak faceted grains and depth hoar are present.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mainly cloudy with clear periods. Alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperature 3 °C, freezing level 2500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine wind 10-30 km/h from the south and southwest. Treeline temperature 0°C, freezing level 2000 m.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h from the northwest. Treeline temperature -1 °C, freezing level 1800 m.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h from the northeast. Treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Regions covered