Purcells

Low danger doesn't mean no danger. Even a small avalanche above a terrain trap can have a high consequence.

• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
• Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

On Monday and Tuesday there were numerous reports of small to large (size 1 to 2) natural and skier triggered dry loose avalanche avalanches running in steep terrain in the alpine and treeline.

On Monday there was a fatal avalanche incident outside of our forecast region on the east side of the Columbia valley in the Rocky Mountain range near Kapristo Mountain . Click here to see more details.

5 to 10 cm snow may be covering a layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas, or a hard sun-crust on sunny slopes.

A weak layer from late January is buried 20 to 40 cm deep. This layer consists of a crust on sun-exposed slopes, and facets and/or surface hoar on other aspects.

A weak layer of facets from early December is buried 60 to 120 cm. The base of the snowpack consists of facets or depth hoar in many areas.

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.