Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Purcells.
Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Monday
Weather Forecast
Overnight and Saturday: A ridge of High pressure is forecast to remain in the region overnight. The next system should move into the region on Saturday morning bringing 5-10 cms of light snow to all elevations combined with strong Southwest winds.Sunday: Continued light snow at all elevations with moderate Westerly winds at higher elevations.Monday: A strong frontal system is forecast to move in from the coast. Expect strong Southerly winds and moderate precipitation amounts.
Avalanche Summary
Some thin soft slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported from explosive control work with large charges (heavy load) near Golden.
Snowpack Summary
Some new surface hoar has been reported overnight. Thin windslabs have developed in the alpine and at treeline in exposed terrain. Some loose snow sluffing may be experienced in steep terrain. Snow pit test results continue to show weak layers of surface hoar that was buried during mid and late November, however we have not seen any activity on these layers recently. The early season rain crust is another layer that continues to show results in tests, but has not been active.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 4
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 3 - 7