Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Temperatures are still seasonally cool, and major daytime warming is not expected. However, be mindful of the freezing level at the local level and plan accordingly.
Weather Forecast
Temperatures are forecasted to remain quite cool (near 0 degrees) in valley bottoms until Wednesday. By midweek expect there to be an increase in daytime warming and subsequent rising of the danger rating. A very light dusting of snow is also expected over the next few days, nothing substantial.
Snowpack Summary
A supportive crust exists on all aspects above 1900m. Isolated windslabs were reported in the high alpine (3000m) near ridges. Solar input on south aspect in the afternoon will break down the crust.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed or reported today.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.