Moderate SW winds and new snow continue to build slabs and cornices through the region. These are ripe for triggering and may initiate the deep instability. Stick to low consequence terrain while the snowpack has time to settle with the new load.
Wind effect and windslab are common through the region with varied reactivity. Ridge tops and immediate lee features pose the most obvious hazard to triggering but anywhere with visible wind effect can pose a threat.
New snow will need some time to settle and stabilize.
Skier triggering could occur in shallow snowpack areas or from large load. The consequences of triggering would be severe! Caution traveling, skiing and climbing in run out zones as avalanche have the potential to run full path
Wednesday - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alp High -12 °C. Ridge wind w 25 km/h gusting to 70 km/h.
Thursday - Periods of snow 13 cm. Alp Low -14 °C, High -7 °C. Ridge wind sw 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.
Storm snow overlies a variety of surfaces depending on aspect and elevation. New wind slabs forming on lee aspects. The Columbia Icefields region has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern part of the forecast region has a generally shallower snow pack that is less bridged.
No Road patrol today. No new avalanches were observed or reported.
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