Sustained winds reaching over 120 km/hr have been recorded over the past 36 hours. Combined with the expected snowfall of 20-40 cm, this will initiate an avalanche cycle on Friday, and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
20-40 cm of new snow and sustained extreme winds will cause an avalanche cycle of deep windslabs throughout the day on Thursday. Avoid all avalanche terrain and watch out for avalanches running from overhead.
Sunshine and Lake Louise ski areas reported explosive and skier-controlled wind slabs in alpine lees up to size 1, but visibility was very limited and most people were shelterering from the wind today.
30-40 cm of snow will fall in this region, with the deepest accumulations occurring north of Lake Louise. Combined with sustained extreme SW winds, this will form deep, reactive windslabs in all areas and will trigger a natural avalanche cycle on Friday.
The storm has arrived, led in by winds in excess of 120 km/hr and snow that began falling Thursday afternoon. Storm predictions are calling for 30-40 cm north of Lake Louise, and 10-15 cm south of Lake Louise, with extreme SW winds in all areas. Temperatures will remain in the -5 to -10 range, and the whole thing should calm down and clear out by Friday evening. Hang onto your hat!
