Up to 55 cm of new snow at the top of Forum made for excellent turns on Monday. Strong SW winds have been building windslab on N & E aspects. Danger could increase with sunny periods on Tuesday and then snow and wind forecast for Wed and Thur.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tue – Clearing with light winds. Temps should be cool and freezing level valley bottom. The sun could peek out and warm southerly aspects. Wed – Snow up to 15 cms. Strong SW winds, temperatures close to freezing. Thur – Continued precipitation and moderate to strong westerly winds. Temperatures should cool a bit to a max of -5 in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 55cm of snow over the last 48 hours is sitting on the Mar 16 melt freeze crust. The crust is present at all aspects and elevations, 7 cm or more thick, and very supportive. This new snow seems to be bonding and settling well with no major shears evident in tests on Monday. Windslabs have already been building on lee N & W slopes.
Avalanche Summary
It was possible to see evidence of sluffing during the storm on 120317 now that visibility has improved. Otherwise no new recent avalanche activity.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday
jon stuart-smith,
Parks Canada
