Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Feb 10 – 11, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 3 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

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

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    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.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported.

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

Confidence

Moderate

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 3 to 5 cm of new snow has buried various surfaces of soft snow, wind-affected, and sun crusts, further burying a crust now down 15 to 20 cm. This crust is generally supportive but 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

Friday Night

Mostly clear, no new snow. Alpine wind southwest 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

Mostly clear, increasing afternoon cloud. Alpine wind southwest 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy isolated flurries with 2 to 4 cm accumulated. Alpine wind southwest 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperatures -7 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with isolated flurries with 1 to 2 cm accumulated. Alpine wind southwest 10 to 20 km/h

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