Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
The wind did not pick up as expected on Monday, however, be watchful for isolated wind slabs in lee areas. Activity has subsided on the Oct 31 layer but forecasters are still watching it closely.
Weather Forecast
A strong high pressure system is building in the region. Temperatures are expected to be seasonal with light to moderate wind from the West.
Snowpack Summary
Above 2500m, 60cm of snow from last week is being blown into soft windslabs in isolated areas. Below 2500m, up to 30 -50 cm of snow lies over the Nov 27th and Nov 23rd crusts. Both of these now overly the Halloween crust/ facet layer that sits 30-50cm above the ground. This lower layer presents as a facet layer above 2500m and as a crust below.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches were observed or reported today.
Confidence
Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Wednesday
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.
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.