Incremental loading from a building wind slab problem is the first significant test of our weak, faceted, snowpack. The snowpack has undergone a substantial change and should be reassessed with a cautious attitude.
Travelers and recreationalists should be aware of the potential for intermittent Road Closures on the Icefields Parkway (93N) on Dec 25 or 26th. Check AB511 for live updates.
New snow and intense wind transport has created fresh winds slabs in the alpine and on exposed features at lower elevations. Incremental loading from this building wind slab problem is the first significant test of our weak faceted snowpack. If triggered, wind slabs may step down to our deep persistent slab resulting in large avalanches.
This problem includes our prominent facet surface hoar layer down 30-40cm. The lower snow pack is weak and faceted which may cause avalanches initiating in the mid or upper snowpack to step down to the "deep" layer on or near the ground.
This problem may extend below tree line hazard in isolated, steep, open, slopes.
Poor visibility limited observations on the icefields parkway Saturday. Park staff reported intense wind transport beginning in the afternoon with heavy drifting at roadside.
Please consider submitting a MIN report if you are heading out for some holiday fun!
10-20cm of new snow has created fresh wind slabs. These new wind slabs sit over a heavily faceted midpack created during our recent deep freeze. The bottom of the snowpack is weak consisting of basal facets with pockets of depth hoar. The snowpack height ranges from 50-120cm. Snowpack is unsupportive tree line and below.
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -7 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday
Periods of snow.
Accumulation: 14 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C, High -3 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 70 km/h.
Freezing level: 1700 metres.
Tuesday
Cloudy with scattered flurries.
Accumulation: 4 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -8 °C, High -3 °C.
Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h.
Freezing level: 1500 metres.
