In this region, triggering the deep basal weak layer is unlikely but not impossible. Uncertainty is limited to steep alpine terrain with a thin to thick snowpack.
Basal facets or a facet–crust combination persist near the ground. Triggering is unlikely, but this type of deep persistent layer is inherently uncertain and may still be triggered in isolated, steep terrain with a thin-to-thick snowpack.
No new avalanches observed or reported in this region on Saturday.
An example of isolated terrain where the layer could be triggered is a skiier triggered size 2 in the Lake Louise backcountry last Tuesday. It was a reloaded bed surface from a previous avalanche and a steep, cross-loaded, thin snowpack alpine slope.
Extensive wind effect exists in the alpine, with some surface faceting helping to break down crusts and create softer skiing. In protected treeline and below-treeline terrain, widespread surface hoar was buried by a few centimetres on Saturday. A deeper surface hoar layer lies 50–60 cm down, but there have been no recent avalanches. Basal crust and/or facets exist in thin snowpack areas, but overall, this year's deeper snowpack is stronger than usual.
On Sunday, there will be no new snow, light to moderate Westerly alpine winds, and treeline temperatures staying at -12C as a high.
Slightly warmer temperatures for Monday and Tuesday. There is no major snow forecast in the short term.
Click here for an Alberta Rockies weather forecast made by Environment Canada
