Avalanche Forecast
Purcells
Wind slabs remain a concern in leeward areas near ridge crest. Also be mindful of the threat posed by large cornices and moist or wet snow releases on sunny slopes or with the heat of the day.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be very careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Sluffs may be easy to trigger in steep terrain that is sheltered from the wind
Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Warming temperatures and a bit of sun may destabilize the snow surface and initiate loose wet avalanche activity, especially on steep south facing features. The likelihood of cornice failures also increases with sun and warming.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where loose avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating, give them a wide berth when traveling above or below.
Avalanche Summary
Wednesday there was a report of an icefall-triggered size 1.5 wind slab (50 cm deep and 50 m wide) on a north aspect at 2400 m, as well as small, loose wet sloughs out of steep rocky alpine terrain.
On Tuesday a skier intentionally triggered a size 1 wind slab 20 cm in depth on an east facing feature at 2400 m. Explosive control work produced numerous avalanches to size 2.5 in north-facing, lee terrain.
On Monday intense wind loading produced natural wind slab avalanches to size 2 on north facing terrain around 2400 m. Solar radiation (direct sun) also produced natural storm slab and loose wet avalanches to size 2.5 on on a variety of aspects between 1700 and 2600 m.
We received the following information second hand, and all the details may not be accurate. On Sunday six riders were involved in an avalanche up Doctor Creek. One was stuck, the second went to help and also got stuck, the third rode up the slope to help and triggered an avalanche that buried all three, "up to their faces." The riders credit airbag packs with saving their lives and although one sled was wrecked, the group was able to extricate themselves. The slope was reportedly north facing and failed as a wet slab.
Snowpack Summary
A thin surface crust is now present on all aspects to at least 2000 m. This crust likely goes even higher on south facing aspects, while 5-15 cm of cold snow can be found on high elevation north facing features.
There are now a few different crusts within the top 40 cm of the snowpack, with only the mostly recently buried crust posing a concern in wind-loaded areas.
There is some lingering concern around the mid-March Persistent Weak Layer (PWL) in the alpine where it is found 40 to 90 cm below the surface. This buried crust/surface hoar interface was widely reactive last week, but has not produced any avalanche activity in the last few days. It is likely trending towards dormancy, but we need to keep it in the back of our minds as it is capable of producing large avalanches should it be triggered (think step-down from a surface avalanche or cornice collapse)
Deeper persistent weak layers from December and January are dormant at this time.
Weather Forecast
TONIGHT: Flurries, clearing. Accumulation up to 2 cm. Ridge wind light to moderate, northwest. Alpine temperature near -6. Freezing level 500 m.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Ridge wind light to moderate, west. Alpine temperature near -5. Freezing level 1800 m. Flurries overnight.
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 4-6 cm. Ridge wind moderate to strong, southwest. Alpine temperature near -5. Freezing level 1700 m.
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5-8 cm. Ridge wind light to moderate, south. Alpine temperature near -3. Freezing level 1700 m.
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Recent new snow and ongoing winds at ridgetop have formed wind slabs up to 50 cm in immediately lees near ridge crests.