Look for new reactive wind slabs in the alpine on Saturday from recent and ongoing strong winds.
Thanks to everyone for the great MIN posts and photos - very helpful!
Strong winds have created new wind slabs, up to 30 cm deep, that are reactive to ski cuts in the Lake Louise region. They are isolated to lee features. Slabs may be thinner elsewhere, but may still be consequential for climbers and skiers in very steep terrain.
No new natural avalanches observed on road patrol up HWY 93 N, but the light was poor. No avalanches reported on Friday.
Observations suggest a generally well-settled Rockies snowpack with no significant weak layers. Last week’s warm, wet weather produced a Nov 13 rain crust up to 2300 m. In the short term, this crust adds stability. 5–15 cm of dry snow lies at treeline, and has been subject to moderate to strong S-W winds in the alpine. Overall, early-season travel conditions are good, with treeline snow depths of 40–70 cm.
Strong SW winds (40-50 km/h in the alpine) will continue through the weekend and ease Sunday night as the direction turns to a Northerly flow, Very light flurries through Saturday/Sunday, with greater amounts (10 cm) forecasted for Sunday night as the cool air moves in. Weekend treeline temperatures stay around -4 °C.
Click here for Environment Canada links to weather tables for the region.
