Highway 93 will be closed from Parkers ridge to Saskatchewan crossing from 11am to 4pm for explosive control work. Moderate confidence of opening as depends on results. Polar Circus and Weeping Wall closed to climbers Friday.
Weather Forecast
Friday: Sun and cold, no new snow. Saturday: Sun and cold, no new snow.Sunday: mixed clouds, no new snow.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30 cm of low density storm snow fell on Wednesday. Below tree line, it sits on a thin facetted snowpack. In sheltered tree line areas this new snow is sitting on a supportive mid-pack. In wind exposed tree line and alpine areas, a 30-50 cm deep soft wind slab has formed on a variety of aspects and buried a surface hoar layer from Jan 6.
Avalanche Summary
Thursday's explosive control on low elevation targets released several size 2 slabs and loose snow avalanches. Natural activity was limited. It appears wind still needs to firm up the snow into a slab. A few size 2 naturals were noted releasing out of steep rocky terrain. Some running a fair distance. They started in the storm snow.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable
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.