A widespread weak faceted base is the root of all concern. Be very cautious in all steep terrain for slab and loose snow avalanches.
Weather Forecast
A few more cm of snow possible through Sunday. Seasonable alpine temperatures with SW winds picking up on Monday.
Snowpack Summary
SW (M-S) winds have built slab on top of a weak faceted snowpack on exposed tree line and alpine features. Mid-pack starting to loose strength. Some pin-wheeling and snowballing on steep terrain below tree line on all aspects on top of a very weak faceted base.
Avalanche Summary
A couple of sz 2.5 slab avalanches in the alpine (a cornice and natural) on south and NE aspects south of the Icefields along the Parkway. Loose snow avalanches should be expected in steep terrain at tree line and below. Touchy slab conditions can be expected below ridge lines in open tree line areas and in the alpine.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations on Sunday
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.