Incremental snowfall over the last week has brought storm snow up to 25cm depending on the location and elevation. This snow has generally been un-affected by the wind but expect wind-slab if it has.
Ice climbers be mindful of loose dry avalanches out of steep terrain.
Weak facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack have caused avalanches 65-120 cm deep recently. A stiffer slab over the facetted snow can trigger larger avalanches that step down to the ground.
Up to 25cm of new low density snow has fallen over the last week with no wind.
This new snow overlies a 60-80 cm snowpack that is entirely faceted, with weak, facet/crust interfaces near the ground.
This situation is not expected to change in the short-term, unless the wind comes up, in which case windslabs will form rapidly.
Lake Louise ski patrol had two avalanches initiated with explosives up to size 1.5 on Jan 2nd. An estimated size 2 loose dry avalanche was reported off the Stanley Headwall.
Our team made a field trip to Cathedral Glades where they found an average snowpack depth of 75cm which was generally supportive to skis. They did not observe any new avalanches in the region.
Tonight: Cloudy with clear periods. Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h. Trace precipitation.
Friday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -7 °C. Ridge wind southeast: 15 km/h.
Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -8 °C. Ridge wind west: 15-25 km/h.
