Avalanche Forecast
Purcells
Consider avalanche danger to be HIGH in areas that receive rain on top of 30 cm or more of dry snow. Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain during periods of rapid loading by rain, snow, or wind.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
- Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking, or recent natural avalanches.
- Avoid exposure avalanche terrain during periods of rapid loading by rain, snow, or wind.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Rapid loading by rain or snow will increase the likelihood of avalanches occurring on this layer.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain during periods of rapid loading by rain, snow, or wind.
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, no new avalanches were reported in this region. Natural avalanche activity is expected on Sunday into early Monday in areas where rain falls on dry snow.
We currently have very limited observations in this region. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
A new crust formed on Thursday as temperatures cooled and the rain-soaked snow surface froze. Since then 15-30cm of snow has fallen at treeline and above. The new snow has created fresh storm slabs sitting on a crust.
The depth of the snowpack varies greatly with elevation. Recent reports suggest the average depth is 150+cm in the alpine, 100-150cm at treeline, and decreasing rapidly below treeline where the primary hazards are rocks, stumps, and open creeks.
A major feature in the snowpack is a crust which was formed around Halloween, and may be found approximately 100cm down at treeline elevations. We currently have very limited snowpack observations within this region and it is critical to supplement this information with your own observations.
Weather Forecast
We'll see lingering flurries on Monday as freezing levels come back to more seasonal values. Unsettled weather with scattered flurries for the remainder of the forecast period.
MONDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate to strong westerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1000 m
TUESDAY: 5-10 cm of snow. Moderate to strong westerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1300 m
WEDNESDAY: Scattered flurries. Strong westerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level rising to around 1200 m.
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A natural avalanche cycle is expected on Sunday into early Monday in areas where rain falls on dry snow.