Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Early season ski conditions exist. However, some ice climbs are in good shape. Ice climbers be mindful of the potential for increased temperatures starting Tuesday.
Weather Forecast
Generally, clear weather will persist throughout the week. By Tuesday expect to see freezing level climb above 3000m. This effect could produce an increase in avalanche activity, especially on solar aspects.
Snowpack Summary
Approximately 90 to 100cm of snowpack exists at treeline locations. Today, the forecasting team observed surface hoar up to 3mm in size. Remember this for later. The snowpack is generally comprised of facets and mixed forms that overly the Oct 27th crust which lies approx 15cm from the ground. Tests produced moderate result on the Oct crust.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanche activity was observed or reported today.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.