Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Apr 7 – 8, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Head to high north facing slopes to find the best conditions.

Avoid thin and rocky start zones, persistent slab avalanches have been recently reported.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Cornices are weak and may break further back on ridgelines than expected. These large loads can trigger buried weak layers on the slope below.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2.5–3.5

    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.

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend, small wet loose avalanches were reported to size 1.

Avalanches on buried weak layers continue to be sporadically reported from thin and rocky terrain features. Additionally, on Friday, a natural cornice fall triggered a 2.5-sized slab on a northeasterly alpine slope.

Confidence

Moderate

Snowpack Summary

Snowfall totals may reach 10 cm in higher terrain in the West Purcells, sitting over a crust or moist snow. Surface snow at lower elevations is expected to remain wet.

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

Monday Night

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level lowering to 1500 m.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level around 2000 m.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy with up to 5 cm. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level around 2000 m.

Thursday

Clear skies with 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Freezing levels around 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

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