Avalanche Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy skies, no precipitation, light wind from the west, treeline temperatures drop to -8 C with freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

THURSDAY: Sunny periods in the morning then increasing cloud throughout the day, light wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -4 C with freezing level climbing to 1600 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with flurries easing off in the morning bringing up to 5 cm of new snow, moderate wind from the southwest, freezing level around 1600 m.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries starting midday brining up to 5 cm new snow, light wind from the southwest, freezing level around 1600 m.

Tuesday's storm resulted in several small (size 1 to 1.5) human triggered slab avalanches in the top 10 to 30 cm of new snow. There were also a few large natural slabs observed in alpine terrain (up to size 2.5).

The recent storm delivered 15 to 20 cm along the eastern Purcells and up to 40 cm along the western Purcells. Snow depths taper with elevation as the surface is likely moist and crusty below 1800 m. Several crusts can be found in the top 60 cm of the snowpack. Recent observations suggest the snow is generally well bonded to these crusts, but there could be isolated areas where these could be reactive, so pay attention to signs of localized instability such as whumpfing or cracking.

• Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
• Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.