Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Dogtooth, East Purcell, Purcells, West Purcell.
Avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
Surface instabilities or large cornice falls may step down to deeper persistent weak layers.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, a natural cornice fall pulled a slab (size 2.5) on a northeasterly alpine slope. Several wet loose avalanches were solar-triggered on steep southerly slopes throughout the region.
Natural persistent slab activity occurred from thin rocky northerly terrain near Panorama on Thursday. Several dry loose and wind slabs were reactive to skier traffic in the region.
Expect increasing avalanche activity within the recent snow with the forecasted warm weather.
Snowpack Summary
A spring diurnal cycle occurred up to 2000 m. The surface is either moist or capped with a thin crust on all aspects and elevations except for high northerly slopes where up to 30 cm of settled snow overlies a thick crust from late March.
Several weak layers from early March, mid-February and late January can be found in the mid and lower snowpack. These layers remain a concern where a thick crust isn’t present above.
The base of the snowpack is generally faceted.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Clear. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level around 1500 m with temperature inversion.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +6 °C. Freezing level rising to 3000 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level lowering to 2500 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level around 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
- Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
- The likelihood of deep persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.
- Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
As surfaces become wet, loose wet avalanches will become more likely on steep slopes at all elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
As temperatures rise, large cornice falls will become a concern. They can potentially trigger persistent slabs on the slopes below. Evidence of recent cornice falls has been reported in the region.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper meter of the snowpack. The likelihood of persistent slab avalanches will increase if the melt-freeze crust near the surface breaks down.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5