Banff Yoho Kootenay

Expect fresh windlabs in the alpine and down into tree-line. Forecasters are uncertain what the massive December snow load is doing on the deeper persistent layers. Conservative terrain choices at treeline and above are still required as we allow the snowpack to settle and adjust to this load.

Moderate

• Uncertainty is due to the fact that deep persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

Fresh windslabs up to size 1.5 have been reported and skicut in alpine and tree line terrain.

15-30 cm storm snow in the last two days and moderate southerly winds have created fresh windslabs in alpine and open treeline terrain. Snowpack continues to settle. There is 30-60 cm settled over top of the Dec 15 melt freeze crust (which is present to ~1800 - 2000m) and the Nov facet/crust interface is down 80-140 cm. Treeline snow depths around 100-200 plus cm.

Thursday night and Friday will bring light flurries with total accumulation by end of day on Friday between 10-15 cm. Winds will be SW in the Moderate range.

On Saturday the flow will shift to NW as an upper ridge builds over the area. Skies will clear, and temperatures will plummet.

Link to weather forecast

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.