New snow and wind has been creating wind slabs at treeline and above.
There have been numerous large avalanches on the deep persistent layers this week. It's a good time to stick to conservative terrain and let the snowpack settle.
Ongoing moderate to strong transport redistributing new snow from the past week, resulting in significant loading (and reloading) of lee features across a range of aspects.
Plenty of soft snow is available for loose dry avalanches, especially as moderate to strong winds move snow into gullies and steep features. Ice climbers should watch for overhead hazard, as even small sluffs can have serious consequences.
There have been numerous large avalanches up to size 4 in Jasper this past week. This problem encompasses multiple weak layers of facets, crusts, and basal facets from November and December.
Weather station maintenance flight on December 23rd showed a widespread avalanche cycle across the bulletin region at all elevations. Many prone slopes appeared to cycle early in the storm and have since reloaded.
Road patrol on December 25th saw several size 3 avalanches, most notably one being on Hilda Ridge.
About 50 cms of new snow has fallen in the last 5 days. Moderate to strong winds from various directions has redistributing snow and loading lee slopes. The upper snowpack has about 70 cm over a weak facet layer from December 7. A deeper November 10 weak layer remains about 30 cm above or close to the ground. Snow depth is 140-200 cm in the Icefields and ~100 cm at Bald Hills, where the snowpack is weaker and more faceted.
Saturday
Sunny with cloudy periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -16 °C.
Ridge wind northwest: 15 km/h.
SundayA mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -17 °C, High -12 °C.
Ridge wind west: 30 km/h.
MondayA mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -8 °C.
Ridge wind west: 35 km/h.
