Purcells

Up to 50 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds continue to form wind slabs reactive to human triggers.

Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

Moderate

• Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

On Thursday, a naturally triggered size 2.5 wind slab avalanche was reported on a northeast aspect in the alpine.

On Wednesday, numerous natural and explosive triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported primarily on north and easterly aspects at treeline and above.

30-50 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed slabs that will be most reactive in wind affected terrain. This recent snow overlies a 3 to 5 cm thick crust below 2200 m.

90 to 170 cm down is a weak layer of faceted snow at higher elevations or surface hoar in sheltered terrain.

100 to 180 cm down is a prominent crust which may have facets above or below.

Depth hoar(large facets) can be found at the bottom of the snowpack.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy with flurries. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.