High snowfall with strong winds and warm temperatures are expected on Friday.
Weather Forecast
Snow is forecasted for the region beginning on Thursday. The intensity of snow will increase on Friday and then taper off Saturday. Up to 40cm is expected. Along with the snow, temperatures will rise and winds will increase, from the southwest.
Snowpack Summary
Surface hoar developed overnight. 5-20cm of new snow sits on the rain crust that formed last week. The rain crust can be found on all aspects up to 2100m. Wind slabs can be found on lee aspects and cross loaded features in the alpine.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed along the Icefields Parkway today. Good visibility.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is 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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.