Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Purcell, Purcells.
Heightened avalanche conditions exist on specific terrain features. Note the distribution of the avalanche problems (below), tune into conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche activity has been reported since Tuesday when a few natural wind slabs were observed in north-facing alpine terrain.
Last weekend, explosive and skier-controlled deep persistent slabs were reported to size 1.5 on north facing slopes around treeline near Invermere.
Observations are limited, please submit a MIN if you head into the backcountry!
Snowpack Summary
10 to 15 cm of wind affected snow sits on sun crusts on south facing slopes, surface hoar in sheltered areas, and previously wind-affected snow.
In the Invermere area, avalanches have been failing on weak faceted snow at the base of the snowpack. So far reports suggest this does not extend throughout the forecast region.
Treeline snow depths are generally 50 to 70 cm, with deeper wind-loaded pockets in the alpine.
Weather Summary
Friday night
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumlation. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm snow. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with flurries. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and slopes above cliffs.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Surface slabs are most likely to be triggered in sheltered lee features in the lower alpine where pockets of deeper snow sits over weak surfaces including a crust or surface hoar.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Weak faceted snow at the base of the snowpack remains a concern primarily in the Invermere area. Recent activity has occurred on steep, smooth north facing slopes where the snowpack is shallow (thin) and weak.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2