Purcells

If a thick surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.Buried weak layers continue to produce large avalanches that may run to valley bottom.

On Thursday, there were a a few large cornice failures (size 2) during the warm temperatures. Also, a large natural wind slab size 2.5 on a northwest aspect in the alpine.

A recent large persistent slab (size 2.5) seen near Panorama is suspected to have occurred early in the week. From a northeast aspect in the alpine.

Persistent slab avalanches have been occurring on northerly slopes in the alpine.

Around 10 to 30 cm of snow this week, with the most on the west side of the region. Low elevation areas and slopes that face the sun are expected to have a thick crust. Shaded slopes in the alpine are unlikely to have a crust, and could be wind loaded.

Several weak layers can be found in the mid and lower snowpack. These layers remain a concern where there is no thick crust above them.

The base of the snowpack is generally faceted.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Monday

Sunny. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.