If we get more snow than forecasted, watch for touchy storm slabs as it is falling on a widespread surface hoar layer. This may become a layer to watch if it's not all blown away before it is buried.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A SW flow is bringing some precipitation our way. Models are showing 2-10 cm on Thursday and an additional 5 cm on Friday. Northern areas should see the highest snow amounts. Winds should ease to moderate from the SW with the incoming storm and then switch to NW with colder temps on Friday midday. Saturday looks colder and drier.
Snowpack Summary
15-30 cm of facetted surface snow with surface hoar forming at all elevations. Wind effect at treeline and above has scoured ridge crests and created wind slabs in the alpine. The Oct 26 crust is roughly 30 cm above the ground with facets above and below it. It is present up to 2800m on shady aspects, and at higher elevations on solar aspects
Avalanche Summary
A large avalanche was observed on the
N face of Mt. Stanley. Forecasters on a trip into the lake louise backcountry on Tuesday had several whumphs in alpine and treeline areas that had been wind affected and
remote triggered a size 2 on a NE aspect at 2300m that failed on facets near the ground
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday