Areas from the Columbia icefields South to Saskatchewan crossing should see moderate amounts of snowfall in the next 24 - 36 hours. At lower elevations, this may translate to rain.
Weather Forecast
A "pineapple express" with plenty of moisture and warm temperatures is expected to arrive South of the icefields area beginning late Thursday night and continuing on through Friday. It is a narrow band of weather which may not reach us and it is not expected to come up to the Jasper townsite. Keep your fingers crossed for snow.
Snowpack Summary
Windslabs are found at ridgetop and exposed alpine/ treeline locations. Where the snow is deeper, a solid midpack bridges the weaker layers below. Surface conditions range from wind scoured rocky patches, to sustrugi, to hard slab, with the rare pocket of sheltered soft snow offering a few turns. Un-supportive facets dominate lower elevations.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported on Thursday.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday
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.