Avalanche Forecast

A flight in the Lake Louise group saw a few smaller wind or persistent slabs failing within the last 24 hours. One size 2 on Mt. St. Piran appeared to initiate as a wind slab then step down to the persistent facets at the base. There was a natural size 1.5 observed above Bourgeau Left ice climb which didn't go over the climb. Lake Louise went on a heli bombing mission and got a bunch of size 2's and smaller. They were a mix of new wind slabs and persistent slabs going to ground on the facets.

Wind effect and wind slab development due to variable winds. 20-40 cm of recent snow sits over a very weak layer of facets, surface hoar, or sun crust on steep south aspects. 40-80 cm of total snow exists at treeline throughout the region, with up to 120 cm in loaded alpine features.

Mostly clear skies Saturday night with ridgetop temperatures in the -15C to -20C range and moderate NW winds. Sunday will see winds shift to the E/NE with trace amounts of snow along the Eastern slopes. Winds will be 30-40kmh in the AM, weakening to 10-20kmh in the afternoon. Alpine temperatures will warm up to -5C to -10C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• If triggered, loose dry avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
• Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.