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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 7th, 2023–Apr 8th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Purcells, Dogtooth, East Purcell.

Continue to use good travel habits, and use extra caution around thin, rocky start zones.

Carefully choose the terrain you play in. A weak, unpredictable layer continues to lurk near the bottom of the snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, north of Golden, just outside of the forecast area, a large (size 2), rider triggered, deep persistent slab avalanche was reported on a northwest aspect in the alpine. The avalanche started 50 m above the riders, and 2 sympathetic avalanches were observed on the adjacent slope. See the excellent Mountain Information Network (MIN) post here for more information, including photos, and reflections on a close call.

On Wednesday, west of Panorama, a large (size 2.5), naturally triggered wind slab avalanche was reported. It occurred on a Northeast aspect in the alpine during a stormy period.

Snowpack Summary

Dry, powder snow remains on shaded (northerly) slopes. Moist snow or thin crusts exist on solar aspects at all elevations.

The mid-snowpack may still contain a number of weak layers, primarily in sheltered treeline terrain. However, no recent avalanche activity has occurred on these layers suggesting they are likely not a primary concern.

The lower snowpack includes a widespread layer of large, weak facets and/or depth hoar crystals. This weak layer has been responsible for several very large and destructive avalanches throughout the season, including one on Thursday.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, fully cloudy on the west side of the Purcells. Trace of snow expected. 5-15 cm on the west side of the Purcells. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to moderate at higher elevations. Freezing level 1500-1750 m. Treeline temperature around -2°C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, fully cloudy on the west side of the Purcells. Trace of snow expected. 5 cm possible on the west side of the Purcells. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong at higher elevations. Freezing level 1750 m. Treeline temperature around -2°C.

Sunday

Cloudy on the west slopes and around Golden, mostly sunny on the east slopes. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Rain below 2000 m. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong at higher elevations.

Monday

Cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow expected in the alpine. Rain below 1900 m. Possible 25-35 cm on the west slopes of the Purcells. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong at higher elevations.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.