Purcells

Rapidly rising freezing levels are expected to increase the likelihood of triggering large avalanches.

Choose conservative terrain and avoid overhead hazards.

Several naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on sunny aspects on Sunday.

A rider triggered a cornice failure was also reported.

Strong solar radiation has formed a surface crust everywhere except north facing terrian at upper elevations.

15 to 30 cm of snow overlies a crust on all but north facing aspects in the alpine. Lingering wind slabs may remain in isolated locations below alpine ridgetops.

A widespread crust with facets above is down 60 to 110 cm. This layer is unlikely to human trigger in areas where a thick crust below the recent snow is present. However, steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places where it may be possible to trigger this layer with large loads.

Monday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3° C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6° C. Freezing level 2700 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2° C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5° C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.