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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 5th, 2024–Feb 6th, 2024

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

Regions

Purcells, Dogtooth, East Purcell, West Purcell, Bull.

The cooler weather has helped to stabilize the snowpack, however we continue to be wary of deeply buried weak layers.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There is now new avalanche activity to report.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of new snow has accumulated over a crust that varies in thickness and elevation throughout the forecast area. In the Dogtooth Range, this crust thins in the alpine and becomes breakable.

Below the fresh snow and mentioned crust, there is around 50 cm of moist snow with multiple crust and facet layers beneath. The base contains weak faceted grains and depth hoar, which will be continue to be monitored for reactivity.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy. Alpine wind southwest 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries. Alpine wind southeast 15 to 35 km/h. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. Alpine wind southeast 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine wind southeast 5 to10 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

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.