Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Apr 17 – 18, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Avalanche danger can rise very quickly with warming temperatures and/or brief periods of sun. Be aware of changing conditions and overhead hazards.For more insight into spring danger ratings, check out our Blog Post.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    New wind slabs  immediately lee of ridge crest may be sensitive to human triggering.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Expect to see an increase in avalanche activity with forecast rain at lower elevations or on solar aspects if the sun comes out for extended periods of time.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    4–8
    The potential for very large deep slab avalanches needs to remain on your radar. Cornice fall, strong sun, warming temperatures or a surface avalanche in motion could act as triggers.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tonight and Friday: Flurries (total accumulation: 5-10cm) / Light westerly winds / Freezing level 1800mSaturday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries  / Light westerly winds  / Freezing level 2000.Sunday:  Flurries (total accumulation: 5-10cm) / Light westerly winds / Freezing level 2000m

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new avalanche observation

Snowpack Summary

A recently buried, supportive crust can be found near the surface of the snowpack on all aspects and elevations except for high elevation north-facing terrain.Three persistent weak layers still exist in the highly variable snowpack of the Purcells: The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm and the early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm seem to be laying dormant for the time being. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is typically down 60 - 120cm. Direct triggering of this layer has become unlikely, however, cornice fall, a smaller avalanche in motion or prolonged warming may wake this layer up.  The resulting avalanche would be very large and destructive.At the base of the snowpack weak basal facets can be found in many areas, however triggering this layer is unlikely

Regions covered