It is that time of the year when solar radiation is starting to gain strength. If the sun pokes out on solar aspects, small loose avalanches can be expected. Ice climbers should be mindful of this condition.
Weather Forecast
Temperatures will be above freezing in valley on Saturday and will be above normal at all elevations. Northwest winds will ease at treeline and below while staying strong in the alpine. No precipitation is expected under partly cloudy skies.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs in exposed lee features, faceted mid-pack at lower elevations, and poor travel with difficult trail-breaking below treeline. Persistent hard slab and sastrugi widespread above treeline. Thin wind slab is forming in immediate lee features with continuing moderate to strong NW winds.
Avalanche Summary
A large piece of cornice fell down a steep (45 + degree) east facing alpine slope and did not trigger any weakness. No other avalanches were observed on Friday with patrols of the Parkway, Whistler Creek and Maligne Road.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable on Saturday
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.