Expect a good freeze Friday morning. A warming trend with increasing solar input will follow over the next few days—start and finish early. Hazard will be LOW in the AM, and may increase in the PM.
Friday looks to be slightly warmer, but how much the heat will affect the snowpack is uncertain. The sun can pack a punch, so watch locally for the surface snow breaking down.
On a flight to Yoho today, the only fresh (within 48 hours) avalanche was a size 2, likely triggered by a cornice. This type of avalanche may be an issue when things really warm up. Otherwise, temperatures stayed pretty cool, and no other avalanches were reported or observed.
Sun crusts on solar aspects extend to ridgeline. Shady aspects hold dry, settled snow above 2300 m. Temperature crusts are forming below 2300 m, with isothermal snow at lower elevations. The January 24 persistent weak layer (facets over crust) is down 70–160+ cm and has been unreactive this week. Below this, the snowpack is generally strong with no significant weaknesses.
Thursday: Expect a decent freeze in the AM, then freezing levels will rise to 2100m. Light NW winds, and no snow.
Friday: Expect a decent freeze, then freezing levels rising to 2600m with strong solar input, light W winds., and no snow.
Saturday: Mainly cloudy with freezing levels rising to 2800m, light SW winds and no snow.
