Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Jan 10 – 11, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Some snow in the forecast this week. Check back for updates as the storm progresses.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs may be lurking behind ridges and ribs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–4
    A low probability/ high consequence persistent slab problem still exists. Investigate your local snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Dry conditions persist on Monday, before a Pacific system brings light snow on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tues: 2-5 cm, Wed: 5-10 cm. Winds are expected to be moderate from the SW and the freezing level remains at valley floor. For more details check out https://avalanche.ca/weather.

Avalanche Summary

A cycle of naturally-triggered size 1-2 loose dry avalanches was reported on Friday. Most were on steep alpine shady aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Conditions are variable across the Purcells. Isolated wind slabs may be lurking behind ridges and ribs. Wind slabs or loose dry snow overlie old surfaces including surface hoar, near surface facets, and possible sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. Cold and dry weather is drying out the upper snowpack (through faceting). In parts of the Purcells, two prominent layers of surface hoar are reactive in snowpack tests. These are buried down 25-60 cm and may have a cohesive slab above. Shallow snowpack areas and moraine features may also have weak facetted snow near the ground that will require time and some warming to strengthen.

Regions covered