Purcells

Extra caution should be used around tree line, especially in areas that have not seen a lot of recent traffic.A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect for this region

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

A low pressure system will brush the southern part of the Province as it moves north eastward into Alberta Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. The southern Purcells may receive 5 to 10cm of moist snow from this system . Freezing levels will fluctuate between 500 m overnight to 1000 min the afternoon on Sunday. Monday the freezing level will again rise to 1000 m with cloudy skies and a slight chance of flurries

Numerous reports from yesterday of natural, skier remote, skier controlled and explosive result avalanches up to size 2.5. Most of these failed on a persistent weak layer 30 to 50 cm from the surface consisting of surface hoar or a crust/facet interface. Strong winds, new snow and rising temperatures increase likelihood of avalanches this weekend. Human triggering remains a real possibility through the forecast period.

Conditions are variable across the Purcells. Wind slabs and storm slabs have developed at treeline and alpine elevations. In some areas, these overlie a surface hoar or crust/facet interface from early January and may be extra touchy. This persistent weak layer is around 30-60 cm down and may be just reaching tipping point in parts of the region. A more deeply buried layer of surface hoar from December is now considered dormant. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are well settled and strong.