Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Another storm is crossing the region on Monday night and we expect another 10 cm at treeline. This will form fresh windslabs, but otherwise conditions should remain relatively good with a nice refresh of soft snow on the surface.
Weather Forecast
Moist Pacific air traveling in a westerly flow aloft collides with cold, arctic air descending from the north. Models are indicating 10 cm at treeline for most areas in the Rockies, with winds shifting to north starting Monday night. Expect strong, gusty winds and blizzard like conditions as the cold front passes through. Clear skies by Tues night.
Snowpack Summary
5-10 cm of storm snow from Monday evening overlies widespread wind effected terrain above treeline, and a soft well settled snowpack below treeline. Expect the new snow to be blown into fresh windslabs in isolated leeward areas, typically 20-30 cm thick and they may trigger easily on Wednesday immediately following the storm.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported or observed on Monday.
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.