Expect spot closures Monday for avalanche control on Hwy 93 north from Saskatchewan Crossing to Parkers Ridge in the afternoon.
Weather Forecast
The bulk of the storm has moved through the but short pulses of snow continue to bring a few more cms into the forecast area. Broken skies and warm temps are forecast for the coming week.
Snowpack Summary
40cm of storm snow has settled into a 25cm soft slab which has not produced too much natural activity in the lower elevations. From the top down, the snowpack has an upside down feeling to it right now, with the warm heavier snow on top and the cooler below. Rain soaked snow below 1500ms.
Avalanche Summary
One sz 2 loose slide observed on a west aspect from the steep rocks in the Nigel Basin in the Ice fields area. Visibility was sporadic at times and difficult to get a look into the alpine.
Problems
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.
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.