There is plenty of snow to create avalanche problems at upper elevations. With unseasonably warm temperatures in the forecast it would be wise to avoid avalanche terrain on Friday and Saturday.
Weather Forecast
An upper level ridge will bring clear skies and warm temperatures in to the weekend.Friday - Clear skies, freezing levels 4000m, alpine highs +11, and light NW winds.Saturday - Clear, increasing cloud in the PM, freezing levels 3900m, alpine highs +11, light NW winds.Sunday - Mix of sun and cloud, freezing levels 1900m, light - mod N winds.
Snowpack Summary
A winter snowpack exists above 2000m, snow depths are 40-100+ cm in the Columbia Icefields region. Windslabs exists on NE aspects, below this several weak crust interfaces exist along which failures may occur. The bond at these crusts may vary greatly with aspect, elevation and burial depth.
Avalanche Summary
Widespread avalanche activity is expected with daytime warming and solar input on both Friday and Saturday. Watch for small-large loose snow avalanches on solar aspects and windslabs on NE aspects. Be aware that avalanches may runout into terrain with little or no snow cover.