Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
The storm Saturday night may see enough new snow to start increasing the avalanche hazard at higher elevations. Climbers and skiers should keep an eye on this through the weekend as the new snow will be sitting on a well developed layer of facets.
Weather Forecast
20-30cm of new snow is expected at higher elevations over the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 50cm of snow is present at higher elevations and the facetting process is well under way. In places a thin wind slab exists over the facets. New snow over this layer is likely to be fairly reactive.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche observations in the past ten days.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday
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.