Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

FRIDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / light south to southwest wind / alpine low temperature near -7 / alpine temperature inversionSATURDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / light southwest winds / alpine high temperature near -6. Some areas will experience an alpine temperature inversion.SUNDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / light to moderate southerly winds / alpine high temperature near -5, low temperature near -7MONDAY - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / light to moderate southwest winds / alpine high temperature near -5, low temperature near -8

Now new avalanches have been reported in the region.

Recent moderate winds have created wind slabs in the alpine and isolated treeline areas.There are two layers of surface hoar (weak feathery crystals) being reported in the top 15-30cm. The surface hoar is most prominent at treeline, but it may be found in sheltered alpine areas. Both of these layers may be associated with a sun crust on south aspects in some areas.Another notable feature in the snowpack is a combination of a crust and faceted (sugary) snow found at or near the base of the snowpack. This layer is most prominent in the alpine.The early season snowpack is highly variable in the Purcells. Total snowpack depths vary greatly throughout the region with anywhere between 70 and 150 cm in the alpine and tapering rapidly at treeline and below. In shallow snowpack areas, the bottom half of the snowpack is reportedly weak and "hollow" feeling on shady aspects due to sugary, faceted snow.