Strong winds have formed touchy windslabs in exposed areas in alpine and treeline terrain. Heightened avalanche hazard will continue at all elevations with forecasted warm temperatures, snow and wind
The Icefields Parkway will be closed for avalanche control.
Check Alberta 511 for updates
Strong winds from various directions has created easily triggerable winds slabs across the region, failing lower down in start zones.
Significant precipitation expected to contribute to loose dry avalanche problem in gullies and steep terrain. Wet loose avalanches possible at lower elevations as freezing levels rise above the valley floor.
Be cautious where the snowpack transitions from thick areas to thin areas. Recent avalanches up to size 3 have been observed on this layer. This problem encompasses multiple weak layers of facets, crusts, and basal facets from November and December.
On Saturday, numerous size 1-2 windslabs were observed in the Parker ridge area on NE aspects at ~2100m. A size 3.5 deep persistent slab triggered by a large cornice failure was observed further south on a NE slope at 2400m running to below treeline. Poor visibility on the Icefields Parkway.
Numerous size 1-1.5 loose wet avalanches were observed in the Maligne Valley near Medicine Lake.
Strong winds continue to redistributed snow into reactive windslabs in alpine and open treeline areas. The midpack is supportive and sits above 40-60 cm of faceted snow that makes up the lower snowpack. A weak basal facet layer located ~30cm off of the ground remains active as a weak layer in the snowpack.
Average snow depth in the Icefields Parkway area is 140-200cm and in the Maligne area average depth is 100cm.
TuesdayStrong winds continue to redistributed snow into reactive windslabs in alpine and open treeline areas. The midpack is supportive and sits above 40-60 cm of faceted snow that makes up the lower snowpack. A weak basal facet layer located ~30cm off of the ground remains active as a weak layer in the snowpack.
Average snow depth in the Icefields Parkway area is 140-200cm and in the Maligne area average depth is 100cm.
WednesdayStrong winds continue to redistributed snow into reactive windslabs in alpine and open treeline areas. The midpack is supportive and sits above 40-60 cm of faceted snow that makes up the lower snowpack. A weak basal facet layer located ~30cm off of the ground remains active as a weak layer in the snowpack.
Average snow depth in the Icefields Parkway area is 140-200cm and in the Maligne area average depth is 100cm.
Monday
Snow. Accumulation: 22 cm. Alpine temperature: High -3 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 60 km/h.
Freezing level: 1800 metres.
TuesdayMainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -3 °C, High -1 °C.
Ridge wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.
Freezing level: 2100 metres.
WednesdayMainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -5 °C, High -2 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 65 km/h.
Freezing level: 2000 metres.
