Purcells

Forecast strong winds will elevate the avalanche danger through the weekend.

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Mainly clear skies and cold temperatures, the coldest on Friday as low as minus 25 as the arctic hight continues to dominate the province. By the weekend the weather pattern will shift as the high moves to the southeast, allowing several weak Pacific frontal systems to make their way to the coast. A stronger system should hit the coastal regions by Sunday, moving into the Interior Monday bringing cloudy skies, snow and strong winds at upper elevations.

On Wednesday, explosives control triggered a size 2 wind slab. With forecast strong winds over the weekend wind slab problems may increase and be triggered by light loads (skiers/ sledders). Loose dry sluffing from steeper terrain may push you off your line, so watch and avoid terrain traps below.

Recent wind has formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in the alpine. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing facets near the surface. There may be a layer of surface hoar buried 20-30cm deep in sheltered areas. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-november crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west toward the Selkirk Range. It sounds like there is a bit less snow on the ground in the south of the region, but we have not had many observations at this time. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and below. This may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future.