Expect elevated avalanche hazard and difficult travel conditions as long as we stay in an All Melt, No Freeze scenario.
The Icefields Parkway will be closed for avalanche control on Tuesday from Parker Ridge to Big Bend. Check for updates on https://511.alberta.ca/
Many cornices are gargantuan and are large triggers on the slopes below. Expect incoming warm temperatures to produce cornice failures. Give them plenty of space.
A persistent weak layer of facets is down 80–120 cm and may still be triggerable by humans in shallow areas, and by large loads like collapsing cornices or wet loose avalanches.
Warm temperatures, direct sun, or rain will increase the size and likelihood of this avalanche problem.
Numerous Loose Wet avalanches up to size 2 were observed along the Icefields Parkway and the Maligne Lake Road on Monday. These were primarily occurring on solar aspects, at below tree line and up to low alpine to elevations.
1 size 3 was also observed in motion on the south aspect of Mount Hooge (near Rampart Creek), and is suspected to be a solar triggered Persistent Slab.
About 15cm of dry snow, which is wind effected in some areas, exists on high North aspects. All other locations have either wet snow or crusts depending on timing. The January 24th persistent weak layer is buried 80–120 cm deep and still a concern in alpine areas. The lower snowpack is well consolidated where deep, and considered weak and faceted where shallow.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated showers.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High 4 °C.
Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 25 km/h.
Freezing level: 2700 metres.
WednesdayFlurries.
Accumulation: 9 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C, High 1 °C.
Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.
Freezing level: 2500 metres.
ThursdayA mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -9 °C, High -5 °C.
Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.
Freezing level: 1600 metres.
