Small isolated pockets of windslab may be found in exposed areas at upper elevations.
Weather Forecast
Scattered flurries throughout the week, totalling 10cm by Friday. Temps to remain cool, warming slightly with a clearing trend mid-week. Winds intensifying to moderate SW on Wednesday, then switching to the North by the end of the week.
Snowpack Summary
Small amounts of new snow cover a variety of wind affected surfaces and rocks. Midpack layers are unreactive in field tests. Recent winds have formed some isolated pockets of soft windslab in exposed areas at upper elevations.
Avalanche Summary
No natural activity observed by field team in Columbia Icefield Area. Minimal sloughing and very isolated pockets of soft slab triggered by ski cutting.
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.