Up to 30 cm of new snow since Dec 23rd with strong winds and warm temperatures will test the snowpack the next few days. Be mindful of these changes and choose your ski lines conservatively. Highway 93 is closed for explosive control work until Wednesday evening. Check AB511 for live updates on road closures.
New snow and wind transport created wind slabs in the alpine and on exposed treeline features. If triggered, wind slabs may step down to our deep persistent slab resulting in large avalanches.
This problem includes a buried facet-surface hoar layer buried 30-40cm down as well as the bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth hoar particularly in shallow locations. An avalanche initiating in the upper snowpack has the potential to step down to this deeper layer. This problem may extend below tree line in isolated, steep, open slopes.
Tuesday's Icefield patrol noted one size 2.5 in the alpine sliding on the deep persistent problem. There was no Icefield patrol on Monday but snowballing was observed at low elevation along Maligne road. Sunday's Icefield patrol noted a few small loose dry avalanches below tree line. Marmot Basin reported several small stiff wind slab avalanches with good propagation on Sunday.
Approximately 20-30 cm of snow has accumulated since December 23rd. It is over a generally faceted snowpack. Depth hoar and well developed Facets can be located near the ground particularly in shallow locations. Strong southwesterly winds from a couple days ago created hard wind slabs in the alpine and exposed tree line locations. Snow height ranges from 50-120cm.
Tuesday night will be clouds, clear periods, isolated flurries, -6 °C, and light Southwest winds. Wednesday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, -5 °C, and light Southwest winds. Thursday and Friday will be similar yet slightly cooler temperatures.
