Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Feb 9 – 10, 2024Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 3 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

The deep persistent slab problem remains a concern in terrain where the crust tapers. Human-triggered avalanches are possible. Exercise diligence and use good travel habits.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wind slabs are becoming stubborn but may be triggered by riders in steep lee terrain features.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Multiple weak layers in the snowpack remain a concern. Most specifically facets on crust near the base of the snowpack. Be especially cautious in areas where the recently formed crusts near the surface are not supportive.

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 deep persistent slab avalanche was explosive triggered in the north of the region. The failure plane was a reloaded bed surface.

In the South of the region, explosives triggered a size 2.5 wind slab.

Snowpack Summary

A few centimeters of new snow will bury various surfaces of soft snow, wind-affected, and sun crusts. This further buried a crust, now down 15 to 20 cm that tapers in the alpine and may be unsupportive to riders.

The upper midpack remains moist above a generally faceted snowpack. The lower snowpack contains weak faceted grains, depth hoar, and crusts that continue to be monitored for reactivity.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries with 2 to 3 cm accumulation. Alpine wind west 5 to 10 km/h. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with trace accumulation. Alpine wind north 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny breaks. Alpine wind southeast 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy isolated flurries with trace accumulation. Alpine wind south 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperatures -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Regions covered