Winds will increase moderate to strong WNW Saturday afternoon. With the storm snow still available for transport, this may be the weather that tips the scales to forming widespread windslab conditions. Be vigilant.
Weather Forecast
Expect seasonal temperatures next few days with a slight warming trend Saturday. A wind event may occur Saturday afternoon into Sunday bringing moderate to strong WNW winds. Monday may bring 20-30cm of storm snow. Be observant the impacts of wind transport and resulting slab development.
Snowpack Summary
Profile at Parkers study plot at treeline 2000m had 90cm snowpack. Top 30cm is low density recent storm snow over slightly more dense midpack. Foot penetration is 50cm. In the field, snow depths vary between 70 to 140 cm in the Icefields. Unsupportive conditions persist below treeline and improve with elevation. Wind slabs forming on lee aspects.
Avalanche Summary
Explosive work on Parkers slabs on Wednesday produced avalanches up to size 2.5. Friday's patrol revealed no new avalanches and visibility was excellent.
Confidence
Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Saturday
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.