Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Jan 9 – 10, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

While the likelihood of triggering a deep persistent layer may be decreasing, it is very difficult to predict where you will or will not trigger a large avalanche.

Continue to take a conservative approach while traveling in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With moderate overnight winds forecast, expect wind slab formation at higher elevation, in exposed terrain, like ridge or rib features.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A layer of surface hoar, facets and/or a crust may be found around 40 to 70 cm deep, which is a prime depth for human triggering.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    A weak layer near the base of the snowpack remains a concern despite lack of recent avalanche activity. Human triggering of this layer remains possible, especially in shallow areas with variable snow depths.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No significant avalanche activity has been reported in the last couple of days.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack continues to settle and bond with mild temperatures. The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak and faceted, with a number of weak layers. Down 30 to 50 cm from the surface is a weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar, buried in mid-December. A weak layer of facets and a crust buried in November is down roughly 50 to 110 cm from the surface. The lower snowpack below this November weak layer is weak and highly facetted to the ground.

Snowpack depths are roughly 60 to 150 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Cloudy with flurries, 0 to 5 cm. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

Monday

Cloudy with sunny breaks and flurries, 0 to 5 cm. Mostly light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud, flurries in the morning, 0 to 2 cm. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, no precipitation. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.

Regions covered