We now have a typical rockies snowpack with wind slabs sitting over a variety of very weak layers. It will be tricky to assess this persistent slab problem. Time to step way back and limit your exposure to avalanche terrain at treeline and above. SH
Summary
Weather Forecast
Light winds with a SE flow for the weekend and some light snow in Eastern regions. Alpine temperatures will be in the -14C range. A Westerly flow reasserts itself on Monday with some light precipitation and moderate winds.
Snowpack Summary
An average of 10-30cm sits over the very weak Dec.19th facets. Wind slabs up to 60cm have been observed over this same layer in alpine areas. The windslab/facet interface was touchy in avalanche control work over the last 2 days and will persist for some time. The Nov crust is 30-80cm and as yet there are limited observations of it being reactive.
Avalanche Summary
Explosive control Wed/Thurs resulted in avalanches up to size 2.5-3 where wind effect was prevalent. The slabs failed on the persistent Dec.19th facets. Ski hills triggered a couple of size 2's with bombs, initiating on the Nov 12 crust on solar aspects with a thin snowpack where the crust is more pronounced. Not many naturals reported or seen.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
stephen holeczi,
Parks Canada
