Ski conditions are improving with steady light snowfalls of low density snow.
Weather Forecast
Another 10cm expected in the next 24hours, with light Southwest winds. Precipitation amounts expected to increase by the end of the week, with as much as 60cm possible for the Columbia Icefields area. Temps to remain below zero at treeline and in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
Supportive mid-pack above 1900m. A persistent weak layer (Feb10 interface) can be found down 30-70cm and consists of decomposing surface hoar and or facetted grains but appears to be bonding well. 10-20cm of low density new storm snow available for transport. New windslabs forming in exposed areas above treeline.
Avalanche Summary
Several loose dry avalanches to size 1.5 out of steep rocky East facing terrain in the alpine were observed today. No new slab avalanches observed.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Problems
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.
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.