Avoid overhead hazard and consider staying out of avalanche terrain until the snowpack adjusts
Natural avalanche activity is likely tapering but has the potential for human triggering
Next update for Highway 93N will be provided December 22 16:00. Refer to 511 Alberta for reopening update
Ongoing moderate to strong winds are redistributing new snow from the past week, resulting in considerable loading of lee features across a range of aspects.
December 19th avalanche control along highway 93N produced large destructive deep persistent slab avalanches. This problem encompasses multiple weak layers of facets, crusts, and basal facets from November and December.
Road Patrol on Dec 21 had poor visibility and limited observations, resulting in low confidence in the alpine hazard assessment.
December 19th Avalanche control on Highway 93N produced numerous avalanches up to size 4 running fast, far and very destructive.
A natural size 4 avalanche occurred on Dec 18 along the closed section of highway 93N taking out mature timber.
The icefields has received another 30-40cm since December 18. Moderate to strong winds continue significantly loaded lee features. The height of snow is up to 150-180 cm in wind protected areas for this zone. Snow depth is 100 cm+ in the Maligne area. Weaker facet layers are now buried deep within the snowpack.
Flurries continue with 7 cm of new snow. Alpine temps near -9 °C, light ridge winds gusting to 30 km/h, freezing level at valley bottom. Monday brings cloudy skies with sunny breaks, isolated flurries, ~5 cm more snow, and gusts up to 35 km/h.
TuesdayTuesday will be mainly cloudy with scattered flurries bringing about 5 cm of new snow. Alpine temperatures range from -12 to -9 °C, with mostly light ridge winds occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. Freezing level remains at valley bottom.
