The slight cooling trend is generally favorable, but local verification of conditions remains essential on Sunday.
Isolated wind slabs may persist on steep lee alpine aspects. Confidence limited: models suggest up to ~5 cm with uncertain snow-wind overlap. If snow falls before winds taper Sunday, thin slabs could form; if winds ease first, development limited.
A 10-30 cm surface slab over hard surfaces and/or a persistent surface hoar layer from Jan 24th is a problem that could catch users off guard in isolated locations. Check unsupported, steep open slopes where this problem may occur. This layer has been most reactive in Kootenay.
One natural cornice fall, size 2, was reported in the alpine high above Crowfoot Glades. No slab was associated with it. Otherwise, no avalanches were observed or reported on Saturday.
Recent warm temperatures have produced crusts or moist snow on solar aspects to treeline and in some steep solar alpine terrain. With a cooling trend underway, these surfaces are likely refreezing. North aspects remain mostly dry and cool. A 10–30 cm slab overlies the Jan 24 interface of surface hoar, crust, and/or previously wind-affected snow.
Widespread previous wind effect in alpine and open exposed areas at treeline.
Cooling trend through Sunday: valley bottoms hovering near 0 with ridgetops closer to -10. SW winds ease through Sunday into the moderate/light range. A weak precipitation pulse late Sunday/overnight may bring trace to 5 cm (max), but amount/timing is uncertain in the models.
