Diligently maintain a conservative mindset. You may not see signs of instability on the surface however the deep persistent weak layer remains a major concern at the bottom of the snowpack.
Keep in mind that even short periods of sun can have a significant impact. Give steep solar slopes and overhead cornices a wide berth during periods of strong solar radiation.
Friday's northeast wind and 5-15 cm of new snow may have formed small but reactive wind slabs most likely found on southwest-facing slopes. Wind slabs may bond poorly to the underlying crust.
The base of the snowpack remains very weak. Very large human triggered avalanches are possible at treeline and above. Avoid shallow and rocky areas, where the snowpack depth is highly variable. This is a very concerning avalanche problem and should stay in your mind when traveling in the backcountry.
No recent avalanches have been reported in this region.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
5 to 15 cm of low-density new snow has been redistributed by northeast winds into pockets of wind slab in exposed areas. This new snow overlies hard wind-affected surfaces in open areas, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and facetted snow in sheltered areas.
In the Purcells, several weak layers from Jan and Feb can be found down 50 to 120 cm however they are showing signs of strengthening. The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled.
The lower snowpack is made up of a widespread layer of large, weak basal facets and depth hoar in some areas. this weakness has been responsible for a number of recent very large, destructive avalanches and will continue to be a concern.
Saturday night
Clear periods. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -11 °C. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -5 °C. Ridge wind 15 to 40 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1300 meters.
Monday
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, up to 10 cm of new snow accumulation at upper elevations. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Ridge wind 30 to 60 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 2000 meters.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -3 °C. Ridge wind 15 to 45 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1700 meters.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
