Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
The natural cycle from the last two days is tapering off. However, remain vigilant in your terrain and route choices.
Weather Forecast
Expect light cloud cover and temps between -2 and -8 with no precip until Tues, at which time an increase in wind from the west with rising temperatures will become inputs that raise the danger rating.
Snowpack Summary
15-25cm of storm snow sit on top of the Jan 4th layer. Wind-slabs as thick as 60cm can be found in high elevation lee areas. Below the Jan 4th layer there is weak faceted snow in the upper snowpack and while the mid and lower pack are supportive in thick areas, thin areas are faceted out completely.
Avalanche Summary
One size 2 avalanche was observed on Observation Peak. the slide was approx 24 hours old. It was located in the lee of a cross-loaded alpine feature that was easily visible from the highway.
Confidence
Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
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.