Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Weather models are not in agreement for snow amounts Saturday night. If more snow falls than forecast, the danger rating may increase beyond moderate in certain locations. The skiing should be excellent.
Weather Forecast
The weather man says an upslope storm will bring another 10-15 cm in the alpine East of the divide overnight into Sunday, with lesser amounts to the W. It is possible we may see higher amounts in the Banff region. Light SE winds and freezing levels to valley bottom will bring a refresh to the ski quality.
Snowpack Summary
6-12 cm low density snow in the last 24 hours E of the divide overlies previous isolated wind slabs and a rain crust from March 28th. The upper and mid pack are well settled. A mainly dormant basal depth hoar layer is still very prominent in much of the forecast area, especially East of the continental divide where snowpack depths are variable.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanche activity reported today.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday
Problems
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.
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.