Although not listed as a problem, be aware that on steeper terrain, surface facets can accumulate and contribute to small loose dry avalanches. Pay attention to how these sluffs interact with terrain traps, as even small slides can have consequences.
Lingering hard wind slabs exist in alpine lee features. Potential failure planes are old weak facet layers, or the Jan 30 layer of facets, sun crusts, and isolated surface hoar down beneath the more recent snow.
The Parks Canada field team observed several solar-triggered loose dry avalanches (size 1) originating from extreme rocky terrain. Otherwise nothing new observed or reported.
Spotty surface hoar growth up to 7mm has been observed on the snow surface. Beneath that, about 25cm of settled snow sits over the Jan 30 weak layer, with aging wind slabs lingering in isolated areas. Specific wind-exposed terrain may also feature sastrugi. The mid and lower snowpack remains well-settled, with tree-line snow depths ranging from 120cm to 180cm.
Another chilly day ahead, with overnight lows dropping to around -15°C in the valley and -18°C at the ridge. Daytime highs will climb to about -7°C. Winds remain light and variable. Expect clear skies in the morning, with clouds moving in by the afternoon. Still no significant snowfall on the horizon.
