Good ski conditions exist in the alpine, but the winds are forecast to pick up on Monday. Watch for fresh windslab formation and isolated avalanches out of extreme terrain running on the Halloween facet layer
Summary
Weather Forecast
A ridge is forming over the forecast region. The more stable pattern that we are entering into will see temperatures drop to -10 to -15 values at treeline for the 3 day period at least. Watch for wind speeds to increase in to the moderate range for Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Above 2500m, 60cm of snow from last week is being blown into soft windslabs in exposed locations. Below 2500m, up to 30 -50 cm of snow lies over the Nov 27th and Nov 23rd crusts. Both of these now overly the Halloween crust/ facet layer that sits 30-50cm above the ground. This lower layer presents as a facet layer above 2500m and as a crust below.
Avalanche Summary
A few size 2's and one size 3 were observed today with good visibility on a flight from Lake Louise to the Wapta . All were in the high alpine (above 2800m) on E/NE aspects in steep, extreme terrain. Most appeared to step down to near ground, likely the Halloween facets. Triggers were wind loading and cornice failures.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable