The avalanche danger will increase more rapidly if snow fall amounts exceed expectations. Pay attention to local conditions.
Weather Forecast
New snow and rising temperatures are in the forecast. A light southerly flow will bring 10 cm of new snow to the Columbia Icefield area and we may see greater amounts in specific locations. Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing at treeline and above but valley bottoms may see numbers as high as + 8 degrees.
Snowpack Summary
Mid pack remains supportive. About 20 cms of HST overlies old surface. No slab in storm snow. At low elevations a buried sun crust is present on south through sw aspects.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Problems
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.
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.