Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Riding most slopes is possible, but steep and shallow wind loaded terrain could still produce a significant avalanche.
Weather Forecast
The upper ridge will give way to a more zonal westerly flow for the next few days. Fast paced weak storms will bring little precipitation but some overcast skies and moderate to strong gusty westerlies. Temps will cool slightly.
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of new snow has buried previous windslabs. Solar effect on very steep southerly aspects. Weak facetted snowpack in areas where snow depth is less than 1 metre. Jan 06 surface hoar facet layer down 30-50 still producing hard planar shears.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed or reported recently.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
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.