Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
We are on the cusp of change. Wind slabs are just starting to develop in alpine lee areas.
Weather Forecast
Light precip (up to 10cm) and continued moderate wind from the west will persist through Monday and into Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to be seasonal.
Snowpack Summary
Very thin wind slabs now cover the mix of sun crust, facets, wind slab and surface hoar depending on the aspect and elevation. The main features in the snowpack are the Nov 27th and Nov 23rd crusts down 10-40cm, and the Halloween crust/facet layer sitting 30-50 cm above the ground, which have been dormant recently.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported in the past several days.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday
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.