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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 15th, 2025–Mar 16th, 2025
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: East Purcell, Purcells, St. Mary.

Fresh wind slabs will be building on Sunday.

Wind slabs could step down to a deeper persistent weak layer triggering a much larger avalanche.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Fri: Several large to very large (size 2-3) persistent slab avalanches occurred in the region. All of them initiated in the alpine.

Thurs: A large (size 2) naturally-triggered persistent slab near Invermere and a size 2.5 persistent slab near Kimberley were observed.

Tues: Avalanche control produced large avalanches (up to size 3.5) in the central-western part of the region.

Looking forward: Wind slabs and persistent slabs are expected to remain triggerable on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

15 - 30 cm of snow accumulated over the last few days forming wind slabs at upper elevations. An additional 5 - 10 cm of new snow combined with strong southwest winds is forecast to fall overnight and through Sunday. This is expected to create fresh wind slabs on wind-loaded north and east facing slopes near ridgetops.

Combined, the recent snow covers a crust on sunny slopes and lower elevations, and surface hoar or facets on sheltered and shady upper elevations. Several weak layers consisting of a crust, facets or surface hoar from February and January remain a concern, buried 30 to 60 cm. A layer of facets from early December is buried 70 to 120 cm. In many areas, facets or depth hoar make up the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 25 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy, with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and clouds. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including surface hoar, facets, or a crust, which may make wind slabs more reactive and take longer to bond.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Several persistent weak layers exist within the snowpack and have been the cause of recent large avalanches in the region. The greatest concern for triggering these layers is on upper elevation north and east facing slopes.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3