Avalanche forecast

Purcells

Apr 8 – 9, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired last year

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

A cornice falling on a slope may trigger a large avalanche.

Avoid thin and rocky start zones where triggering the persistent problem may still be possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Cornices are weak and may break further back on ridgelines than expected. These large loads can trigger buried weak layers on the slope below.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2.5–3.5

    Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper meter of the snowpack. The likelihood of persistent slab avalanches will increase if the melt-freeze crust near the surface breaks down.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend, small wet loose avalanches were reported to size 1.

Avalanches on buried weak layers continue to be sporadically reported from thin and rocky terrain features. On Friday, a natural cornice fall triggered a large (size 2.5) slab on a northeasterly alpine slope.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 15 cm of new snow, with the most on the west side of the region, sits over a crust or moist snow. Surface snow at lower elevations is expected to remain wet.

Several weak layers from early March, mid-February, and late January can be found in the mid and lower snowpack. These layers remain a concern where there is no thick crust above them.

The base of the snowpack is generally faceted.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with up to 20 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

Regions covered