Avalanche danger is at the top end of CONSIDERABLE, with natural, explosive and human-triggered avalanches reported daily. We're entering a dangerous time for decision-making: conditions are slowly improving, thus the danger is less obvious, people want to ski, and the weather is getting nice. Manage your desires carefully.
A 40-70 cm slab overlies mid-pack facets and depth hoar at the ground. Numerous avalanches have been failing on both these layers (persistent AND deep persistent slabs) and this will not change anytime soon as these problems are slow to heal. Avoid starting zones and be very wary of overhead hazard.
Widespread avalanche activity continues, primarily focussed in the shallow snowpack zones:
Sunday saw a size 3 natural avalanche in Redoubt Bowl (photo below), a size 3 natural in Crowfoot Peak and a retreat from the Bow Canyon due to remote avalanches. Monday saw a size 2.5 natural avalanche on Ptarmigan Peak and Sunshine ski patrol triggered five size 2.5 avalanches with explosives the same day. There was a fatal avalanche near Lake Louise last Friday.
Over the past 10 days, 40-70 cm of new snow has accumulated and settled into a slab, with the deepest amounts found in the Bow Summit area, along the Wapta, and Little Yoho. This overburden sits on a very weak, faceted mid and lower snowpack and fails easily in snowpack tests. This condition will be slow to stabilize. Limited evidence from Little Yoho (Mt. Field area) indicates a stronger snowpack here, which should be faster to strengthen.
A ridge of high pressure is building from the west and will bring several days of nice weather. Expect a mix of sun and cloud on Tuesday and a bit more sun on Wednesday. Temperatures will remain seasonal, between (-1 and -10) except in the direct sun where it will warm up fast.
