Avoid overhead hazard and consider staying out of avalanche terrain until the snowpack adjusts
Recent snowfall and strong winds along the Icefields Parkway have created significant wind loading & produced large avalanches
Next update for Highway 93N will be provided December 21 12:00. 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.
December 19th Avalanche control on Highway 93N produced numerous avalanches up to size 4 running fast, far and very destructive.
Natural avalanches up to size 4 have been reported along the closed section of highway 93N in the last 48 hours. Natural activity is expected to continue with snow and wind forecasted to continue.
Continuous snow since December 14th has accumulated to up to 110cm in the Parker's area. Moderate to strong winds continue significantly loaded lee features. The height of snow is up to 140-180 cm in wind protected areas for this zone. Snow depth is up to 100 cm in the Maligne area. Weaker facet layers are now buried deep within the snowpack.
Cloudy conditions and continued flurries are expected through tonight and Sunday. Total new snowfall of up to 10-15cm is possible, with alpine temperatures remaining cold around -11 °C to -9 °C. Winds will stay mostly light with occasional ridge gusts up to 30 km/h, and the freezing level will remain at valley bottom throughout the period.
MondayLight flurries with up to 7 cm of new snow. Alpine temperatures will remain cold, ranging from -11 °C to -9 °C, with mostly light ridge winds occasionally gusting up to 30 km/h. The freezing level will remain at valley bottom.
