Think twice about jumping into complex avalanche terrain as the recent cold snap has weakened the snowpack especially in thinner areas.
New wind slabs forming on easterly aspects at ridgetop along with cornice growth. Old and buried wind slabs on all aspects in the alpine could become more reactive as temperatures warm.
Up to 15cm new snow may not be bonding well to previous surface. As temps warm, expect continued dry loose sluffs out of steep terrain.
The recent cold weather has promoted facetting and weakening of the snowpack compromising the bridging strength. Potential for triggering these deeper layers could increase as temperatures warm.
Temperatures will continue to warm over the next few days. Winds will become westerly and increase to Strong values by Monday evening.
Monday: Trace amounts of snow High -6 Freezing levels rising to 1500M
Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
For more info: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast
Continued faceting of snowpack. Up to 10cm of settled recent snow may not be bonding well to the upper settled pack. This overlies a weakening mid-pack comprised of varied facet forms. This provides some questionable bridging over the basal facets and DH. HS average at TL: ~135cm.
No new natural avalanches at Marmot and Maligne were observed today. Jan 18th Marmot had an explosive result producing a size 3 out of an alpine north facing feature that went to ground. Start zones were crossed loaded features.
