Strong westerly winds in the alpine are expected over the next 24 hours.
Weather Forecast
Over the next 24 hours snow flurries will bring modest amounts of fresh snow as a north westerly frontal system moves over the area. At treeline and above temperatures will remain in the -15 range with strong gusting winds. More snow is forecast overnight on Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
Cold temperatures and the lack of snow over the past month has eroded the core strength of the snowpack. Watch for windslab conditions in the alpine and the most recent feature of the snowpack which is a surface hoar crystal layer. This is starting to be buried and once covered by 30cm of snow will present an avalanche problem.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were seen in the Maligne and Bald Hills area today.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.