The deep persistent slab is still the layer of main concern. While the best skiing and riding can be found on polar aspects, watch for windslab development in lee features of the alpine.
The November basal facets as well as midpack facets on crusts remain a concern for triggering. Snowpack tests continue to produce moderate to hard sudden collapse results. Unfortunately, we can't forget about this problem yet.
Strong winds in the last 48h have created wind slabs in lee features, with ski hills reporting natural activity to size 1-1.5 out of extreme terrain
While there have been no new avalanches in this region, there have also been multiple remote triggered avalanches to the east, running on the basal facets in recent days, up to size 3.
Wind slab development and reactivity has been reported by both Sunshine and Lake Louise with the increase in the winds out of the SW. Up to 15cm of storm snow buries sun crusts to ridgetop and temperature crusts below 1500m. The January sun crust and facet interface is down 40 to 120cm. The November depth hoar at the base of the snowpack remains weak.
On Friday, cloudy skies and flurries are expected throughout the region. Snowfall amounts are not forecast to be more than 5 cm as precipitation rates will likely increase through the afternoon. Winds at ridgetop are expected to be in the strong range, blowing out of the south west. Freezing levels will reach 2000m-2300m and the alpine high is forecast to hit +2C.
Saturday should see the front move through and flurries will tapering through the day. Temperatures are expected to be slightly cooler, as the forecast alpine high is 0C.
For a detailed weather forecast click here.
