Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
We still don't have many alpine observations at this time. Given the current storm, watch for heavy spindrift in gullies and other confined alpine features, especially in and around terrain traps. SH
Weather Forecast
15cm in the front ranges and up to 30cm alon the divide forecast by Sunday evening. Freezing levels to 2000m with moderate SW winds diminishing by Sunday night. Sunday night will see a cold front moving in and freezing levels dropping to valley bottom with a clearing trend.
Snowpack Summary
Below treeline and treeline elevations are below threshold depths for avalanches. At alpine elevations, a storm earlier in the week dropped 20-40 cm , and the current storm is forecast to drop 15-30cm by Sunday night. Much more snow has accumulated in gullies where spindrift has been filling them in.
Avalanche Summary
Limited visibility and observations today. There were reports of spindrift avalanches earlier this week. Some small slabs have been noted this past week and some reports of whumpfing in the high alpine. These have been small in size and distribution but should be of note on fans below gullies and unsupported slopes in alpine terrain.
Problems
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.