A pulse of snow is expected Monday at higher elevations, anticipate wind slab formations as this system moves through the region.
Weather Forecast
A pulse of precipitation is expected Monday bringing in 20+cm of snow to the Columbia Icefields region with lesser amount further north. Freezing levels will be around 1700m as this storm hits and will drop to valley bottom as a cold air mass pushes the system through. Wind values will be at the threshold for snow transport through the day Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Below 1700m there is no significant snow. Above 2000m an early winter snowpack exists, snow depths range from 30 to 100+ cm depending on aspects and exposure to wind. A series of crusts have helped develop a supportive snowpack allowing for relatively good ski travel. The alpine snowpack is variable, with windslab as the main avalanche problem.
Avalanche Summary
Observed no new avalanche activity on highway 93N Sunday. Climbers should still remain vigilant as even triggering a small avalanche in a gully feature or above cliffs can have severe consequences.
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.