Avalanche Forecast
Purcells
Snow amounts will gradually accumulate over a variety of potential weak layers in the coming days.
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.
- Travel on ridges and/or ribs to avoid wind loaded slopes below
Avalanche Summary
Recent reports in the north of the region indicate numerous size 1 wind slab avalanches in the lee of terrain features in the alpine. Please submit any observations you may have to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
The 10-15cm of new snow accumulating Friday through Sunday evening now sits on a wide variety of old surfaces including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), hard crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. As the snow load builds and slab properties develop, it will be important to monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surfaces. Most concerning would be areas that have surface hoar sitting on top of a hard crust.
A crust which was formed by rain in late November is a major feature in the snowpack and is down approximately 40-60cm at tree line elevations. Snowpack tests suggest the snow above is currently bonding well to it.
Snowpack depth decreases rapidly below tree line. Look out for early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY: Snow Sunday night into Monday accumulations 5-10cm then cloudy with scattered flurries / Light to moderate west / Alpine temperature -5
TUESDAY: Periods of snow accumulations 10-15cm / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature -10
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -11
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New snow combined with moderate westerly winds will have formed wind slabs in alpine lees that may be reactive to human triggers.