Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: Strong NW winds. Alpine temperature near -10. Very light snow.Thursday: Moderate to strong NW winds. Alpine temperature near -7. Very light snow.Friday: Light SW winds. Alpine temperature near -7. Very light snow.
Avalanche Summary
A few loose dry and soft slab avalanches to size 1.5 have been triggered naturally and by skiers over the last couple of days.
Snowpack Summary
Recent snowfall amounts and winds have been variable across the region. Around 15-35 cm snow overlies old surfaces buried on Jan 23. Preserved surface hoar up to 21 mm in size has been found in the North Elk Valley, buried by about 15 cm of snow. It doesn't appear to be a widespread layer, but could be a localized problem once buried with further snowfall. The most wind-affected areas, including Crowsnest Pass and Harvey Pass, have scoured south and west-facing slopes. Wind slabs may be found on lee slopes.
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.