Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Storm snow distribution is variable throughout the forecast region. Expect up to 35cm in Kootenay and as little as 5cm in the Lake Louise area.
Weather Forecast
Gradual warming is expected over the next few days. However, valley temperatures will not exceed zero degrees. The ridge temperatures will also increase but will not exceed -10. Cloud cover and very light precipitation will advance into the region through Wednesday. Wind will increase tonight to the strong range at ridge top from the SW.
Snowpack Summary
Variable amounts of low density storm snow (5-35) that arrived in the last 24 hours now sit on top of a firm mid-pack. The higher amounts of storm snow are to the south of the region. The Dec/Jan surface hoar layers are rounding and inactive in tests. The deeper facet layers down 80-150 cm remain weak but are presently difficult to propagate.
Avalanche Summary
A recreational party reported triggering (skier controlled) a size 1.5 storm slab today on the East aspect of Vermillion Peak at 2600m. 20cm deep by 60m wide by 200m long. Otherwise some sluffing (loose dry) up to size 1 was observed in the Simpson slide paths.
Confidence
Wind effect is extremely variable
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.
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.