Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Feb 22 – 23, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Warming and stormy weather in the forecast have increased the likelihood of avalanche activity this weekend.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Up to 10 cm of new snow combined with southwesterly winds may build reactive new wind slabs at upper elevations. Watch for wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    A persistent weak layer of surface hoar/facets or a crust is down 25 to 60 cm. This layer may become easier to trigger this weekend due to forecast warming, new snow and wind.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Thursday, three persistent slabs (size 1.5 to 2.5) were observed in the alpine in various parts of the region. One was remotely triggered by a skier and the others occurred naturally.

Thursday & Wednesday, several small (size 1 to 1.5) dry loose avalanches were reported, with natural and human triggers all across the region.

Monday, a fatal avalanche incident occurred outside the forecast region near Golden. Click here for details.

Snowpack Summary

Overnight and through Saturday, up to 10 cm of new snow is expected in the western Purcells, less in the east. The storm will come with moderate to strong southwesterly winds, creating new wind slabs. This new snowfall will accumulate on top of 5 to 10 cm of existing snow covering a layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas, or a hard sun crust on sunny slopes. 20 to 40 cm below that, is a persistent weak layer of facets/surface hoar or a crust buried in late January. A weak layer of facets from early December is buried 60 to 120 cm from the surface. The base of the snowpack consists of facets or depth hoar in many areas.

 

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 0 to 7 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.

Regions covered