Avalanche Forecast
Purcells
Welcome to winter! It's that time of year when winter is slowly winding up and observations are limited. Due to limited data it is CRITICAL to supplement this information with your own observations. Please post your observations to the MIN.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid areas which have been loaded by new snow and wind.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Recent rain at most elevations combined with overnight cooling Thursday night will reduce the likelihood of triggering this layer. Areas in which the snowpack above this layer remained dry should be treated with increased caution.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, no new avalanches were reported in this region. However, we currently have very limited observations in this region. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Fresh wind slabs may have formed below alpine ridgetops in areas where the precipitation fell as snow on Thursday afternoon. 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. Recent heavy rain to the mountaintops has rapidly shrunk the snowpack and has transitioned much of the snowpack from dry to moist snow. The major feature in the snowpack is a crust which was formed at the end of October and can be found approximately 100cm down at treeline elevations. However, freezing levels are forecasted to drop dramatically by Friday morning which will likely create a strong crust at most elevations and decrease the likelihood of triggering avalanches on the October crust. We currently have very limited snowpack observations within this region and it is critical to supplement this information with your own observations.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, light southwesterly winds, freezing levels around 1500m. SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, light southwesterly winds, freezing levels around 1500m. SUNDAY: 5-15cm new snow throughout the day, moderate to strong southwesterly winds, freezing levels rising to around 2400m.
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Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
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Fresh wind slabs may have formed below ridgetops in areas where the precipitation fell as snow on Thursday afternoon.