Purcells

As danger approaches low across the board, it's a good time to remind ourselves that low danger doesn't mean no danger. Food for thought on this blog post.

Good

A high pressure ridge will continue to bring dry, warm conditions.Saturday: An inversion will generate an above freezing layer from around 1800 to 3200m. Expect cloud to around 1800 m as well as some strong alpine sunshine. Alpine temperatures will reach around +3C and will feel higher still in the sunshine. Ridgetop winds 20-30 km/h from the NW.Sunday and Monday: Dry, with a mix of sun and cloud, becoming clear by Monday afternoon. Air temperature cooling significantly (expected max of -2C on Sunday and -6C on Monday). Winds light northerly.

Minor sluffing and ski cutting up to size 1 was observed in the new snow on Thursday.

The recent dry, warm weather has generally consolidated the upper snowpack. Old, stubborn hard wind slabs may exist under a skiff of new snow. Steep, sun exposed features are most likely seeing a daily melt-freeze cycle.The biggest concern throughout the region is a layer of weak sugary depth hoar at the base of the snowpack which may coexist with a crust which formed in October. I would continue to be suspicious of any large or unsupported upper elevation slopes, especially if they haven't already avalanched. Possible triggers include a heavy load over a thin spot, a cornice fall or rapid temperature change. Any avalanche failing at this interface would be highly destructive.