New snow is piling up in parts of the region creating reactive storm slabs.
If you see less than 15 cm of new snow in your zone, the hazard may only be MODERATE.
New snow and wind have formed reactive slabs, especailly in zones that have 20 cm or more of recent snowfall. Approach wind affected terrain like ridgelines, mid slope rolls and crossloaded features with extra caution.
On Wednesday
Numerous loose dry sluffs out of extreme terrain were observed southwest of Valemount. They were up to size 2 and likely triggered by wind or sun.
On Tuesday
One large (size 2) wind slab was reported, triggered by a cornice failure.
If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations or photos to the Mountain Information Network.
Recent snow amounts vary across the region: Between 15 and 40 cm, with the highest amounts in the McGregor Range. This snow has built reactive storm slabs, especially in areas where there is more than 20 cm of new snow. Recent winds have built deeper and more reactive slabs on lee slopes near ridgetops.
The prominent mid-December crust is buried up to 110 cm deep and extends to 2200 m. Several weak layers persist in the lower snowpack, but concern is limited to higher-elevation terrain where the crust above is absent. Triggering is considered unlikely, except with large loads or in thin snowpack areas.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
