Another storm with significant precipitation and extreme winds will impact the region Sunday. Heavy loading and strong winds will increase the avalanche hazard.
Avoid overhead exposure, terrain traps such as gullies, and lee slopes.
Strong to extreme winds out of southwest are forecasted over the next couple of days which will increase the sensitivity of old and newly created wind slabs.
December 7th facet interface is present at all elevations and aspects. With rising temperatures and new snow, slabs will form on top of this layer.
This avalanche problem is of most concern in extreme alpine terrain and gullies where even a small avalanche is of high consequence. Steep slopes below tree line are faceted to ground lacking cohesion and with increasing freezing levels we may see some moist loose avalanches at lower elevations.
No new natural avalanches observed in the last couple days. However, many bed surfaces have been reloaded with new snow.
December 10th avalanche control at Parker's ridge produced slabs up to size 3 with good propagation at ridge top.
Potential for triggering large destructive slabs remains a concern.
Strong winds from the west have scoured much of the alpine and tree line and loaded lee features. Up to 50 cm of snow overlying an early December facet interface. A small crust is located 30cm from the bottom. Snowpack ranges from 60 to 120cm at treeline in the Icefields. The Bald Hills area has received less storm snow; the average height is ~60cm.
Sunday
Periods of snow. Accumulation: 15 cm. Alpine temperature: High -3 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 90 km/h. Freezing level: 1800 metres.
MondaySnow, heavy at times. Accumulation: 35 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -4 °C, High -2 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 30 km/h gusting to 85 km/h. Freezing level: 1900 metres.
TuesdayPeriods of snow. Accumulation: 14 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -6 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
