Purcells

Although avalanche conditions are improving there is still potential to trigger avalanches on wind loaded slopes and large steep terrain features.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Light flurries with 5-10 cm of low density snow, moderate wind from the west, alpine temperatures drop to -10 C.

FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and up to 5 cm of snow, moderate wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries, light wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

SUNDAY: 5-10 cm of snow overnight then clearing in the afternoon, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

A few small (size 1) wind slabs have been human triggered at treeline and alpine elevations over the past few days.

On Monday there were reports from the central part of the region of two explosives triggered deep persistent avalanches size 2.5 and 3 running on north aspects in the alpine. One of these ran on facets sitting glacial ice.  

20-50 cm of low density snow has fallen over the past week. This snow has shown some reactivity at higher elevations where it has been redistributed it into isolated wind slabs. This snow sits above a rain crust that extends up to 1800-2000 m. The middle of the snowpack is generally settled but the base of the snowpack contains basal facets. It remains possible to trigger these deep weak layers in shallow rocky start zones or from a heavy trigger such as a cornice fall. 

• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.