Expect fresh wind slabs in the alpine. Areas of main concern are gully features and steep lee slopes. Ice climbers should pay attention to local wind conditions. Up-to-date weather station observations can be obtained from Avalanche Canada's website.
There is enough snow in wind-loaded alpine and high treeline features to create avalanches, and human triggering is possible. While we expect these slides to be limited in size, getting avalanched in a shallow snowpack can easily result in an injury, so use caution in steep terrain.
Minimal information is available right now, but we expect small windslabs isolated to leeward slopes and gully features (i.e., ice climbs) where the snow has accumulated.
Last weekend's storm produced 25-30 cm of new snow along the continental divide. Settled snowpack depths are now around 40-60 cm at treeline. Recent strong SW winds and the forecasted snow and wind on Friday will contribute to wind slab formation in lee alpine areas and cross-loaded features.
Overnight Friday, expect upto 10 cm with strong westerly winds during the day. Saturday will be sunny and clear with arrival of a high pressure system.
Banff National Park forecast
Yoho National Park forecast
Kootenay National Park forecast
Western Canada weather maps
