Assess the bond of the new storm snow before stepping into bigger terrain. Submitting a MIN Report is a great way for avalanche forecasters to get more details of the snowpack.
Wind effect and windslab are common through the region with varied reactivity. Increasing snow load will elevate the hazard in the short term.
The incoming new snow will need some time to settle and stabilize.
Up to 35cm has fallen in this last storm. It appears to be bonding well.
Friday night into Saturday will see an additional 15cm of snow. Temperatures finally cooling to -20 on Sunday and slightly warming through out the coming week. We can expect light winds with the incoming snow, A moderate to strong Westerly flow will follow the storm.
More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast
35cm of recent new snow overlies a variety of surfaces depending on aspect and elevation. The new snow is bonding well to the old surface. Wind slabs are continuously forming on lee aspects. The Columbia Icefields region has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern part forecast region is shallower and weaker.
Teams were down south in the columbia Ice fields area doing avalanche control. Minimal Natural activity out of steep solar and limited control work to Sz2 in the storm interface.
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