In other forecast regions deep persistent weaknesses are finally becoming active, causing some large avalanches. Keep this in mind when evaluating larger features.
Weather Forecast
Continued light precipitation is forecast for the next several days with freezing levels rising each day to near 2000m. Light to moderate southwest winds will continue to build windslab and cornice growth on typical lee features.
Snowpack Summary
5cm in the north of the Forecast zone and up to 10cm in the icefields area arrived with light to moderate southwest winds. This new snow arrived with warm temps and we expect windslab development in lee features and continued cornice build up. New snow loading may overload some existing windslabs to produce natural avalanches to size 2.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported, but limited visibility today for higher elevation areas.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.