Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Jan 23 – 24, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Avalanche danger may be decreasing, however, the consequences of triggering any avalanche could be severe due to a persistent weakness deep within the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slabs persist in and around exposed-terrain features, like ridge tops and steep convexities (rollovers).

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    There is a weak layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack in most alpine areas. The likelihood of triggering a deep persistent slab is low, however, the consequences of doing so are high.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several explosive-triggered storm and wind slab avalanches were reported over the weekend up to size 2, on a variety of aspects and elevations.

Last week a few explosive-triggered deep persistent slab avalanches (size 2.5 to 3.5) were reported, all in the northwest of the forecast region. These avalanches occurred in areas characterized by generally deeper snowpacks compared to most other areas. All avalanches took place in north-facing alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack continues to settle with mild temperatures. In wind-exposed terrain at treeline and above, recent snow has potentially been redistributed into deeper pockets of wind slabs by predominantly southwest winds.

A layer of faceted snow exists down approximately 30 to 40 cm, created during the extreme cold earlier this month.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak with several layers of note. Of greatest concern is a well preserved layer of weak facets and/or depth hoar located at the bottom of the snowpack, particularly in alpine terrain.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with trace snow amounts, west alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with trace snow amounts, southwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with trace snow amounts, west alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Regions covered