Wintery conditions return this week with an all freeze and no melt situation.
Natural avalanche activity is expected to taper off with gradually cooling temperatures.
The solar input is strong this time of the year so even glimpses of the sun might spike natural activity.
Even though there was rain at lower elevations, it likely fell as snow in the alpine and added new load at higher elevations. With north winds picking up on Thursday, expect to find pockets of newly formed wind slabs, particularly in lee terrain and cross-loaded features.
Numerous natural avalanches were observed during the heat of the day on Tuesday in the Icefields area, including loose wet and wet slab avalanches up to size 3. Most initiated in steep treeline and low alpine terrain, occurring both in the mid-pack & at the ground depending on how isothermal the snowpack was.
A cooling trend this week will see natural activity taper off, but the sun is strong at this time of year & even short glimpses of sun could see a spike in reactivity.
Melt-freeze crusts or daytime moist surface snow exists on all aspects except North alpine, with many treeline and below areas in some state of transition toward isothermal. The high alpine is still holding on to a winter snowpack on NW to NE aspects with the Jan 24th PWL down 80 to 120cm.
Overall trend is a stable, cold pattern with light winds, occasional flurries, and no significant warming. Winds ease slightly by Saturday.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine high -8 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
FridayA mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C, High -8 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
SaturdayCloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -7 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 25 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
