Avalanche Forecast
Purcells
Be aware of snow conditions that change with elevation and from aspect to another. Small storm slab may exist in the alpine, while wet snow at lower elevations may become a concern with daytime warming.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Summary
There were no new reports of avalanches from the region on Thursday. Earlier in the week numerous wet loose avalanches were observed in the region to size 2.5 on sunny aspects. As well as both skier and sledder triggered wind slabs up to size 1.5 on south east to west aspects.
On Sunday we received reports of a skier caught in a size 2.5 avalanche in the north of the region. The slab was 20-50 cm thick and started on a steep north east aspect immediately below ridge crest at 2300m. See the MIN post for more details.
Snowpack Summary
A light dusting of new snow now covers a crust on all but high elevation northerly aspects which still hold loose, dry snow above a generally well-settled snow pack.
A couple of layers buried in mid-late February (down around 40-100 cm) have shown limited reactivity of late. Persistent slabs have been triggered on shady aspects, where surface hoar and/or facets exist. Deeper persistent weak layers from January and December are generally considered dormant, but could wake up with a surface avalanche stepping down, cornice fall, or a human trigger in a shallow or variable-depth snowpack area. These layers consist of sun crust, surface hoar and/or facets. Facets also linger at the base of the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
TONIGHT: Cloudy. Ridge wind light, southeast. Alpine Temperature near -5. Freezing level 500 m.
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light, east. Alpine Temperature near -4. Freezing level 1700 m.
SUNDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5-15 cm. Ridge wind light, southwest. Alpine Temperature near -5. Freezing level 1500 m.
MONDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 2-4 cm. Ridge wind light, southwest. Alpine Temperature near -6. Freezing level 1600 m.
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Watch for areas of wet snow especially on steep, sunny slopes and near rocky outcrops or gullies.