Banff Yoho Kootenay

We still don't have many alpine observations at this time. Given the current storm, watch for heavy spindrift in gullies and other confined alpine features, especially in and around terrain traps. SH

15cm in the front ranges and up to 30cm alon the divide forecast by Sunday evening. Freezing levels to 2000m with moderate SW winds diminishing by Sunday night. Sunday night will see a cold front moving in and freezing levels dropping to valley bottom with a clearing trend.

Below treeline and treeline elevations are below threshold depths for avalanches. At alpine elevations, a storm earlier in the week dropped 20-40 cm , and the current storm is forecast to drop 15-30cm by Sunday night. Much more snow has accumulated in gullies where spindrift has been filling them in.

Limited visibility and observations today.  There were reports of spindrift avalanches earlier this week.  Some small slabs have been noted this past week and some reports of whumpfing in the high alpine.  These have been small in size and distribution but should be of note on fans below gullies and unsupported slopes in alpine terrain.