Watch for fresh wind slabs as you transition into alpine terrain.
Recent snow (15-40 cm in past week) and strong winds will have created wind slabs in lee alpine terrain and may extend down into some tree-line features.
Several natural and cornice triggered wind and storm slabs have been reported over the past several days. A large deep release was reported out of the north side of Surprise Pass on Tuesday. Ski-hills only reported small loose dry avalanches out of steep terrain today.
15-40 cm of snow in past week (most around Lake Louise) overlies previous storm snow at upper elevations and rain-crusts below 1800 m. Recent strong winds have created wind-slabs in the alpine. The basal depth hoar is only a concern in shallow snowpack areas. Lower elevations have a temperature crust on all aspects.
Thursday: Isolated showers or alpine flurries in the morning and light convective activity in the afternoon along the divide. Up to 5 cm of snow forecasted. Freezing levels between 14-1700 m. Light winds.
Friday: Flurries with minor accumulations. Winds swing to SW and increase to moderate throughout the day. Freezing levels rise to 2000 m.
