Purcells

Small but reactive wind slabs may form as storm snow accumulates.

Continue to avoid large and consequential terrain while the snowpack cools and strengthens.

Natural avalanche cycles continued throughout this week with rain, warming, and sunshine weakening the upper snowpack. Wet loose and slab avalanches were reported to size 3. Natural activity has tapered off as temperatures gradually cool.

Moving forward avalanche activity will become more likely as storm snow accumulates.

5-15 cm of new snow is expected to accumulate over Saturday. This will fall over moist snow at low elevations, or over a crust at higher elevations.

The top 50 cm of snow at treeline is moist with several layers of crusts and facets below. At the base of the snowpack, weak faceted grains and depth hoar is present. These layers may strengthen as the temperatures cool, however, we have significant uncertainty about the reactivity of these layers moving forward.

Friday Night

Cloudy with up to 3 cm of new snow expected. Locally heavier amounts may be seen, up to 15 cm is possible near Invermere. Freezing levels remain above 1500 m overnight. Light and variable winds.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 5-15 cm of new snow expected in most areas favoring the eastern slopes of the Purcells. Northeast winds start light and increase over the day to 40 km/h. Freezing levels around 1500 m, treeline temperatures near -4°C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Freezing levels around 1300 m, treeline temperatures around -6°C. Light and variable winds.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with possible flurries. Freezing levels drop to 1000 m. Southeast winds 10-20 km/h.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
• Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.