Purcells

Rider triggered slab avalanches are sliding on a buried crust near the base of the snowpack.

Start conservative and watch for signs of instability like cracking or whumpfing.

Over the weekend, numerous natural and human-triggered persistent slab avalanches (up to size 2.5) were observed near Invermere. These primarily occurred on north through southeast aspects at treeline and above. Smaller wind slab avalanches could step-down to the basal facets, initiating a larger slab avalanche.

Information is very limited at the moment. Please consider submitting a MIN.

10 to 15 cm of new snow fell over the weekend. In wind-exposed areas cracking and whumping have been reported.

Down 40 to 50 cm sits a layer of surface hoar primarily found on shaded slopes, or on a thin crust on sunny slopes.

A crust exists near the bottom of the snowpack. This crust may have weak, sugary facets on top.

Snowpack depths are reported to be 50-70 cm at treeline elevation.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with some clear periods. 15 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud, no new snow. 15 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.