Enjoy the new snow and mild temperatures. Be aware for changing conditions mid-afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Mild temperatures and light variable winds expected through the weekend, with up to 10cm of new snow expected. Freezing levels to remain below treeline (2100m).
Snowpack Summary
10-15cm of fresh snow with light (gusting moderate) Northerly winds has created fresh storm slabs in exposed areas. Incoming snow is falling on a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects below 3000m and old facetted wind slabs on polar aspects above 1700m. The weak Feb. 8th interface under the old windslabs remains a concern on high north aspects.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous loose wet point release avalanches were observed in the Columbia Icefield area, primarily on steep solar aspects at treeline and below. These slides were generally in the size 1 - 1.5 range, with deeper accumulations noted in gully features. No slab avalanches were observed.
Problems
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.