Purcells

Carefully assess steep slopes, as small surface avalanches could trigger deeper weak layers.

Numerous avalanches were reported over the weekend, with a common theme across the region being wind slabs up to size 2, triggered by natural causes, skiers, and explosives. They primarily occurred in steep, alpine terrain on a variety of aspects, with depths up to 60 cm.

One explosive-triggered size 2.5 avalanche was reported in the north of the region. It failed on a buried weak layer, producing a crown up to 100 cm deep. This occurred in very steep, rocky, alpine terrain.

20 to 40 cm of recent snow continues to settle and bond to underlying surfaces. Recent southwest winds have redistributed this snow into deeper deposits at higher elevations.

A layer buried in early December is found roughly 20 to 90 cm below the surface. This layer varies, consisting of weak surface hoar or facetted crystals on shaded slopes and a sun crust with facets on south-facing slopes.

The base of the snowpack is made up of a thick crust and facets in many areas. The only location where this basal layer has shown signs of instability is in the Invermere area.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy with 2 to 8 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.