Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Surface snow is re-crystalizing and faceting. Watch for power sluffing in steep terrain and manage them accordingly.
Weather Forecast
An ever so slight warming trend, (but still pretty cold...) over the next 3 days. Cloud cover and very light precip is expected Tues/Weds. Wind will shift to the west and will not exceed moderate.
Snowpack Summary
Alpine areas are a mix of wind blasted and/or soft (faceted) surface snow depending on location - sheltered areas have 40 cm ski penetration. Overall the snowpack is strong. The Jan 17 surface hoar/crust interface can be found below 2200 m down 40-60 cm and is producing moderate, planar shear tests, but there is minimal slab overlying the layer.
Avalanche Summary
A serac triggered deep persistent slab was observed on Mt. Aberdeen today. It was a size 2 and was greater than 72 hours old. Otherwise no new avalanches observed or reported.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday