Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Dec 17 – 18, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

It sounds like good riding conditions out there but large human triggered avalanches are still possible bellow tree-line. At upper elevations watch for wind slabs developing through the day.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Wind slabs are expected to develop at tree-line and in the alpine as the wind picks up through the day.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    A layer of buried surface hoar can be found bellow tree-line, between 1400m and 1800m. It remains sensitive to human triggering. Watch out for signs of instability like wumphing to guide you through this elevation band.

Snowpack Summary

It sounds like good riding conditions out there with mainly low density snow on the surface. There is some localized wind effect in the new snow at ridgeline. About 15 to 40cm of snow sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. The early December persistent weak layer can now be found down 30-80cm.  This layer can be found as an old sun crust on solar aspects in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets bellow treeline.  The surface hoar is mainly a problem between 1400m and 1800m, although it may extend higher in the south of Invermere. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable; producing a mixture of sudden and resistant failures or no results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be mainly well settled.

Confidence

Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: 2-5cm of new snow, moderate to strong southwesterly winds, -5C at treeline .SATURDAY: no new snow expected, light westerly winds, -7C at treeline. SUNDAY: Light flurries, moderate southwesterly winds, - 10C at treeline.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche professionals in the field are reporting small slab avalanches in the immediate lee of wind loaded features.

Regions covered