Consequences are still high if you trigger a deep persistent slab. Be prepared to make conservative route choices for the foreseeable future. See snowpack observations at Bow Summit today.
10-25 cm of snow fell over the past week and moderate S-W winds formed wind slabs in lee areas. These slabs are relatively small but the major concern is that if triggered, these may step down to the weak basal facets resulting in larger avalanches.
A 20-60 cm slab has formed over the very weak basal facets, with thin crusts at the interface at lower elevations and on some solar slopes. Human triggering is likely on any steep slopes where a cohesive slab of snow is found. This problem will remain for the foreseeable future.
Lake Louise patrol was knocking out hard wind slabs with explosives, that would gauge down to the ground and entrain facets. These slides were size 1.5 and all occurred in the alpine. Sunshine patrol was able to trigger one size 2 deep slab in previously uncontrolled terrain with explosives. As usual, it entrained facets as it progressed downslope.
20-60 cm of snow has formed a slab over a very weak base consisting of facets. Thin crusts can be found on the facet interface at lower elevations and on solar slopes. Expect to find lingering wind slabs at higher elevations. Snowpack depths at treeline range between 60 and 120 cm.
Relatively warm valley bottom temps of near zero, with the alpine around -10 on Wednesday. A small amount of precipitation is expected overnight Tuesday into Wednesday (2-4cm), Wind is expected to remain light from the NW on Wednesday. Overall, a benign weather pattern will persist with minimal inputs to the snowpack.
