Continue to be mindful of the deep persistent slab problem and make conservative terrain choices. Saturday's forecast of new snow will be welcome but we may see a bump in hazard should more than forecast amounts materialize.
Winds have increased to moderate values from the southwest likely creating thin wind slab at ridge crest and exposed cross loaded terrain.
The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Avalanches initiating in the upper snowpack are likely to step down to this layer and gain significant mass.
5cm of new snow from this past week around Parker Ridge. Upper snowpack comprised of 20-30cm variable density snow sitting on top of the December 17 facet layer. Large facets and depth hoar comprise the bottom portion of the snowpack. Snowpack depths vary from 40-100cm.
There were no new avalanches observed on the icefields parkway on Tuesday - no patrol on Wednesday.
If you're out in the hills, don't forget to post to the MIN. Every bit of information helps
A surface ridge of high pressure will continue to bring mostly clear skies and minimal precipitation over the next couple of days. Thursday will be a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 0C and a low of minus 8C. Winds will be light in the morning picking up to moderate values from the west in the afternoon. Friday will be similar. Saturday a weakening low will bring light precipitation and increasing winds from the southwest.
Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
