New snow and wind have created sensitive wind slabs, especially at upper elevations. Skier triggering is likely. Conservative terrain selection is advised.
This problem includes fresh surface wind slabs, and previously formed wind slabs that are now hidden. The surface wind slabs are likely to be easily human triggered in lee and cross-loaded features.
This problem will likely last for a day or so.
Thin areas are locations where it is more likely to trigger this weakness.
Several smaller avalanches(surface snow) were observed today with the recent snow and strong winds. This newly formed wind slab will take a bit to stabilize so approach steeper terrain with caution..
Another 10cm of new snow in the past 24hrs brings the 4 day total to 40-50cm. This recent snow has created 30-50cm deep fresh wind slabs due to very strong westerly winds. These slabs sit on a weak layer of surface hoar, graupel, and/or stellars, and has been reactive to ski cutting and natural avalanche activity. In addition, previously formed wind slabs (now buried) are widespread in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. These buried slabs may now be less sensitive to triggering, but it is worth digging down and checking it out. The November crust still lingers at the base of the snowpack down 170cm or so and is still a concern for triggering from thinner snowpack areas.
Thursday will bring a mixed bag of sun, cloud and maybe flurries. Winds will be down to 40km/hr from the SW and expect a high temperature of -11c.
https://hpfx.collab.science.gc.ca/~fsg006/productviewer/ab/table/AB_Rockies_Forecast.html
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
