Should the system on Friday, hit us directly, the strong winds, warm temperatures and snowfall could increase the avalanche danger in the Alpine and at treeline.
Weather Forecast
A narrow, warm system carrying a lot of moisture is expected to move through BC and enter the Rockies sometime Thursday night or Friday. It will bring strong winds and warmer temperatures. The tracking of this system is uncertain and even a small direction change will be the difference between a good snowfall or only light flurries.
Snowpack Summary
Windslabs are found at ridgetop and exposed alpine/ treeline locations. Where the snow is deeper, a solid midpack bridges the weaker layers below. Surface conditions range from wind scoured rocky patches, to sustrugi, to hard slab, with the rare pocket of sheltered soft snow offering a few turns. Un-supportive facets dominate lower elevations.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche patrol along Highway 93 from Jasper to Saskatchewan river crossing and return to Jasper produced no new avalanches observations. Some clouds obscured the upper alpine around the crossing.
Confidence
Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday
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.