Frigid temps persist. Great time to find sheltered sunny skiing on solar aspects.
New wind slabs forming with mod NE winds today. Previous WSL in the week appear to be bonding well. Tightening/brittle with frigid temps
There is significant loose snow clinging to rock faces and in steep alpine features. Triggering of this snow includes human, wind and solar radiation.
2 Large avalanches were observed on March 11th. Initiating this layer is more likely from large loads such as cornice fall or from shallow snowpack areas. In the valley bottom the snowpack is less consolidated with less chance of large releases.
The arctic air has arrived bringing cold temperatures and moderated to strong North and Easterly gusting winds. Solar radiation will increase as the skies clear through the weekend.
More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast
The Icefields area has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. 3-5 cms new snow from pm Mar 12th blanketing Hs. The northern region is weaker with less bridging midpack strength above basals and depth hoar. Isolated strong NE valley winds in the townsite area stripping existing snowpack and reverse loading Alp/TL features.
On Wednesday a field team at the Columbia Icefields noted two Deep persistent avalanches up to size 3.5 on SW & NE aspects in the alpine. Cornices loom large and threatening over enticing terrain below but may also be the trigger for the deep persistent weakness. Spindrift and point releases avalanches have also been observed in the past week.
