Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Strong temperature inversions spell cold mornings on the skin track or on valley bottom climbs. Use the sun to your advantage if possible and carry extra layers to be prepared for un-expected delays or emergencies.
Weather Forecast
Continued inverted temperatures with -25C or colder in the valley bottoms to start the day, and warmer in the alpine (-15C). Alpine winds will increase to moderate/strong on Saturday night, and will decrease to light by midday Sunday. Expect some more cloud on Sunday but no significant snow in the forecast.
Snowpack Summary
Significant wind effect exists in all alpine areas with isolated wind slabs in steep loaded areas of the high alpine. Soft surface snow remains just below ridge crests at treeline. The upper snowpack is faceting. This has diminished the sensitivity of wind slabs, and rendered the four layers of surface hoar visible in the upper meter, as dormant..
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported today. Some minor surface sluffing noted in very steep (over 45degree) terrain in Kootenay.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Extreme winds earlier in the week blasted most alpine terrain. Expect some lingering, isolated slabs in leeward alpine areas.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 2