20 cm of snow with Strong East winds will create a reverse loading condition on south and westerly aspects. This is an unusual situation so greater care is needed on familiar slopes.
Weather Forecast
Up to 20 cm of snow predicted for Saturday with moderate to Strong East winds in the Alpine. Clear skies on Sunday with light winds and seasonal temperatures.
Snowpack Summary
Pockets of wind pressed soft slabs were observed in the Parkers Area on Northerly aspects at alpine and treeline elevations. 3-5 cm of fluffy snow over a temperature crust can be found on all aspects tree line and above to 2500m. A supportive midpack sits over a weak basal facet layer in most areas at treeline and above.
Avalanche Summary
A few small point release avalanches at treeline observed on Good Friday. Of note, a large serac fall off Mt. Athabasca failed to initiate an avalanche.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.