Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
The polar push is back. Expect light snow accumulations and variable winds to affect conditions through the weekend.
Weather Forecast
After a brief taste of a westerly flow and mild temperatures, the arctic air is pushing back again late Friday. With this push, temperatures will drop, winds will shift to northerly and light accumulations of cold snow are expected Saturday. Watch for temperatures to drop further into Sunday as skies start to clear.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 40 cm of snow has fallen since Feb 2. This has been affected by variable winds, isolated periods of intense solar radiation and most notably, sustained cold temperatures promoting faceting. Down 30 to 75cm, Jan 17 surface hoar produces sudden planar shears in isolated locations treeline an below. A weak basal snowpack exists in shallow areas
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain 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.
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.