Strong wind is forecast on Sunday, which may form new wind slabs that could be touchy to riders during formation and into Monday. The problem will be most likely where 15+ cm of soft snow is found, so assess for new snow, strong wind, and slab characteristics during your travels.
New wind slabs are expected to form as strong southwest wind blows around recent snow. You are most likely to find them in steep leeward terrain features adjacent to ridges in wind-exposed terrain at higher elevations.
The persistent slab problem is most likely on the eastern slopes of the region (e.g., Kakwa, Tumbler Ridge). Large natural avalanche activity was noted around a week ago. Steep, rocky slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack in the alpine are the most likely places to trigger buried weak layers. Large loads, such a cornice falls or multiple sleds on the same slope, often trigger slopes that a single rider couldn't.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloud with overnight snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -13 C.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm with localized areas of 30 cm possible, 40 to 60 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -10 C.
MONDAY: Early-morning snowfall then a mix of sun and cloud, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -9 C.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.
No new avalanches were observed on Friday. On Thursday, some large cornice failures were observed, of which some triggered small slab avalanches on the slopes below (see here). Looking forward, wind slabs are likely to be triggered by riders on Sunday at higher elevations, as new snow and strong wind are forecast.
Around 15 to 30 cm of new snow may be found across the region by Sunday afternoon. Wind slabs are likely forming at high elevations in exposed terrain from strong southwest wind. Storm slabs may be found in steep sheltered terrain. This snow overlies a thick melt-freeze crust up to treeline and to mountain tops on sun-exposed slopes. Cornices are very large along ridgelines and always have the possibility of failing naturally or from the weight of a human.
A weak layer of facets buried mid-February may be found around 100 to 120 cm deep, or shallower in the east of the region. This layer was reactive about a week ago in the Hasler riding area (see here). The most likely place to trigger this layer is where the snowpack is shallow in alpine terrain. Large loads, such a cornice falls or multiple sleds on the same slope, often trigger slopes that single rider couldn't trigger.
