Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Cold temperatures continue to weaken the upper snowpack. Surface sluffing and small pockets of wind slab are the main concern in the region.
Weather Forecast
A slight warm up over the next few days with daytime highs in the low negative teens. A dusting of snow, and light winds forecasted for Tuesday.
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
No new avalanches observed or reported.
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.