Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

On Thursday, there was a large (size 2) skier-accidental avalanche that failed on the mid-February weak layer. No one was caught. The avalanche was in the northwest Purcells, on a west facing alpine slope.

There were also several small storm slabs, dry loose, and wind slabs reported on west and northwest aspects in the alpine.

On Wednesday, south of Revelstoke there was a large (size 3) natural persistent slab avalanche. It failed on the late January weak layer.

Anywhere from 5 to 15 cm of new snow is expected by the end of the day Saturday.

A 3 to 5 cm thick melt-freeze crust, buried 10 to 15 cm deep, is present on all aspects except north-facing slopes above 2000 m. Surface hoar has been noted on this crust.

A weak layer, composed of facets, surface hoar, or a crust, is found 20 to 60 cm deep from mid-February. Another persistent weak layer, buried in late January, lies 50 to 110 cm deep. This layer is surface hoar, facets, or a crust, depending on the aspect.

The remaining snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, some areas may get up to 30 cm. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 20 to 50 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 10 to 30 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
• Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
• Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.