Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Avalanche conditions are expected to remain touchy. Weak basal snow and a deep storm layer should be given time to settle. Watch for windslabs in exposed locations. Conservative route selection is advised through the weekend. JPK
Weather Forecast
Cold arctic air has become established in the forecast area with temperatures expected to dip to -27C. Overnight cooling may wring a centimeter or two more snow out of the previous air mass, but the clearing trend should be firmly established on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
40 to 60 cm of storm snow on facets, surface hoar, and rain crust have produced a touchy snow pack at all elevations. Shooting cracks and whoomphing are common throughout the forecast area. Windslabs can be expected on all exposed aspects.
Avalanche Summary
Poor visibility limited avalanche sightings today, but the ski areas are reporting widespread natural activity to size 2.5.
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.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.