Early season conditions exist with low snow cover and hidden hazards just lurking beneath the surface. Ski defensively.
Weather Forecast
Light flurries, clouds, -6 to -9 for Sunday. Monday may bring in a pulse of snow, 10-20cm, South to Southwest light to moderate winds, 1800 freezing level, and -3 to -6 degrees Celsius. Models are not agreeing on the snow amounts thus expect it to vary locally.
Snowpack Summary
Field data is limited. Below 1700m there is no significant snow. 2000m and above 30cm plus can be expected. Snow distribution varies with aspect, elevation, and wind exposure. Treeline and alpine gully features as well as some alpine slopes will be wind loaded. Its early season snowpack and ground features are marginally covered.
Avalanche Summary
No patrol Saturday. Friday Jasper to Sunwapta station patrol observed nothing new. Climbers should still remain vigilant as even triggering a small avalanche in a gully feature or above cliffs can have severe consequences.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday
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.