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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 2nd, 2022–Apr 3rd, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Purcells.

Watch for isolated wind slabs near ridgecrest as we shift back into a pretty wintery weather pattern over the next few days.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: No significant precipitation expected, light west/southwest wind, freezing level near valley bottom.

SUNDAY: A few clouds at dawn building to overcast by lunch, a few cm of snow possible during the day, moderate southwest wind, freezing level around 1700 m. 1 to 5 cm expected Sunday night.

MONDAY: Overcast, 5 to 10 cm of snow possible, strong southwest wind, freezing level around 1700 m. Another 1 to 5 cm possible Monday night.

TUESDAY: Broken cloud cover, no significant precipitation expected, moderate west wind, freezing level around 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new activity to report from Friday. On Thursday we received two reports of small rider triggered wind slab avalanches on north and east facing terrain in the alpine in the northern portion of the region.

On Wednesday loose wet avalanches were reported on south facing slopes at treeline and below to size 2.5. 

On Tuesday, several size 2-3 wet avalanches were naturally triggered by sun, warm temperatures and cornice falls in western terrain near the Bugaboos, with some failing at the ground. 

Snowpack Summary

Small pockets of wind loaded snow may sit on north and east facing slopes in the alpine. A crust exists on all aspects as high as 2500 m, softening in the afternoon at all elevations with warm temperatures and sun creating moist surface snow. At very low elevations, the snowpack may be wet and isothermal, depending on overnight freezing levels. 

At 30 to 75 cm below the snow surface, a sun crust can be found on solar aspects from March. The recent warm weather seems to have helped this layer bond. 

A thick rain crust with facets above from early December is buried around 150 cm deep. Large avalanches were naturally triggered on this layer during the most recent warm temperatures in western terrain near the Bugaboos. Continued avalanche activity on this layer is unlikely with cooler temperatures forecast. 

Terrain and Travel

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.