Banff Yoho Kootenay

We cautiously move to these LOW danger ratings as our confidence gradually catches up to the snowpack. The frigid air, lack of avalanches and minimal slab over the Jan 17 layer lead us to this conclusion. Ease into these conditions, like we have.

After a slight warm up to -16 overnight on Thursday, the deep cold returns again for the weekend as the cold air returns with light snow on Friday and overnight lows reaching -30; possibly even some moderate E winds as the front passes. The long-range forecast shows a continued Arctic pattern until late next week.

Alpine areas are a mix of wind blasted and/or soft (faceted) surface snow depending on location - sheltered areas have 40 cm ski penetration. Overall the snowpack is strong. The Jan 17 surface hoar/crust interface can be found below 2200 m down 40-60 cm and is producing moderate, planar shear tests, but there is minimal slab overlying the layer.

No new avalanches reported or observed today.