Banff Yoho Kootenay

Watch for fresh windslabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain in the alpine and at treeline. Even a small avalanche in exposed terrain could have high consequences. Overall, a great start to the season in the Rockies, though!

An arctic high pressure system has moved in and we are under the influence of N/ NE flow for the foreseeable future. This means cold temps (highs -5 to -10 and lows of -15 to -20 in the valley bottoms), with clear skies and generally light N/ NE winds. Expect some moderate gusts which will make those temperatures feel cold!

5-15 cm of storm snow from Monday overnight overlies widespread wind effected terrain above treeline, and a soft well settled snowpack below treeline. The new snow is being blown into fresh windslabs in isolated leeward and crossloaded areas at treeline and in the alpine, typically 10-30 cm thick and they may trigger easily.

Sunshine and Lake Louise ski hills were reporting fresh windslabs reactive to ski cuts in alpine and treeline terrain today. These were generally small, and 10- 30 cm deep in lee and crossloaded terrain.

The weather pattern is stable