Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
The forecasted Saturday storm may create some reverse loaded windslab conditions. Recent storm snow west of the divide has created some new fresh slabs to watch out for.
Weather Forecast
A frontal system riding over the ridge and coming in upslope may bring in about 10cm of new snow. Temps will still be moderate and the winds will be gusting to the strong range from the NE.
Snowpack Summary
Lots of new snow being moved around by north westerly winds. Ripe new cornices. Thin fresh wind slabs. Facetted mid pack in shallow areas.
Avalanche Summary
Some new cornice fall and thin wind slabs out of very steep terrain. nothing larger than a small size 2.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday
Problems
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.
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.