Purcells

Low danger doesn't mean no danger. Even a small avalanche above a terrain trap can have a high consequence.

5 to 10 cm of recent snow from late last week snow may be covering a layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas, or a hard sun-crust on sunny slopes.

A weak layer from late January is buried 20 to 40 cm deep. This layer consists of a crust on sun-exposed slopes, and facets and/or surface hoar on other aspects.

A weak layer of facets from early December is buried 60 to 120 cm. The base of the snowpack consists of a thick crust with facets or depth hoar in many areas.

On Monday there were numerous reports of small (size 1 to 1.5) natural and skier triggered dry loose avalanche avalanches running in steep terrain in the alpine and treeline. There was also a report of a skier triggered size 1 persistent slab avalanche failing at treeline.

There was a fatal avalanche incident outside of our forecast region on the east side of the Columbia valley in the Rocky Mountain range near Kapristo Mountain . Click here to see more details.

Tuesday Night

Clear sky. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 10 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.