Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Some new snow should refresh the skiing. If this snow is overlying a harder surface it may run further than anticipated if initiated.
Weather Forecast
A decent freeze on Thursday AM with afternoon freezing levels to 1800-1900m. There should be more solar input, especially along the foothills. Winds will remain light through the day and into Friday.
Snowpack Summary
5-25cm over the last 24 hours has created storm slabs. These overly crusts that exist on all aspects below 2300m and high into the alpine on solar aspects. High N aspects still hold dry powder and some wind effect on lee slopes. Crusts are breaking down and reforming almost daily depending on solar input and freezing levels.
Avalanche Summary
Sunshine ski area was reporting soft storm slabs and loose dry avalanches on most aspects up to size 1.5 with ski cuts and explosives. They were running far on the crusts and harder surfaces below.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Below treeline elevations will likely deteriorate by the PM, and possibly higher on solar aspects. This includes breakdown of crusts and/or warming of the 5-25 cm of snow we received over the last 24 hours.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Storm Slabs
Reports of reactive storm slabs/loose dry avalanches in the alpine at the ski hills Wednesday (10-30cm thick). These overly harder surfaces and can run further than you expect. They will be especially sensitive Thursday if they are receiving sun.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5