Early season conditions still exist throughout the forecast region. Ski with caution as the depth of snow is variable in all areas. Watch for signs of instability such as cracking and whumpfing; there is a persistent weak layer buried 25-35 cm below the surface. Sensitivity and consequence of this layer may increase with rising temperatures and increasing winds.
Few observations were available to confirm the sensitivity. Slabs now buried under a few cm of new snow. Assume they are present in isolated areas with varied sensitivity.
Limited observation in the Alpine. Marmot Basin Ski area reports surface hoar extending into some alpine features. Solar crust on south aspects is also of concern. Dig and assess this layer before committing to terrain.
Use caution in steep and/or confined terrain features.
On Tuesday, dry loose avalanches from extreme terrain were observed in the Maligne area up to size 1.5. Field team reporting settlements on a thick layer of preserved surface hoar below tree line in the Churchill range. Many hazards were still poking through the thin snowpack; their objective was aborted.
Up to 10cm of new snow in the Maligne and townsite area; up to 5cm in the Icefields area. This new snow sits on variable wind slab up to 20cm thick in the alpine. Tree line and below there is a buried layer down 30-35cm that consists of surface hoar, facets, and sun crust depending on aspect and location. Snow depth ranges from 45-110cm.
Wednesday expect a clearing and warming trend with winds increasing to moderate and strong values from the southwest. Additional flurries possible on Thursday. Cooling trend into the weekend with no significant precipitation in the forecast.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
