Large natural slab avalanches continue across the region.
Shift to northerly winds will result in reverse loading.
Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
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.
Very large to large natural slab avalanches running to ground are still being observed in the field. December 27 road patrol down the Icefields Parkways saw several new deep persistent slab avalanches along the corridor.
Local ski resort has been reporting deep persistent slab avalanches set off by explosives but also light triggers.
Icefields Parkway: About 50 cm of new snow fell last week, with total snow depths of 160–190 cm at TL. The upper snowpack is made up of well-consolidated storm snow from the past two weeks. A Dec facet layer sits ~60 cm above the ground, transitioning to an early-November faceting crust near the base.
Maligne Lake area: Snow depth at TL averages ~1 m and is less consolidated. The Dec facet layer is ~50 cm above the ground and closer to surface.
Widespread wind effect in all regions.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: High -7 °C. Ridge wind west: 15 km/h.
Cloudy with sunny periods. Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -7 °C, High -4 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h. Freezing level: 1600 metres.
WednesdayCloudy with sunny periods. Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -8 °C, High -5 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h. Freezing level: 1500 metres.
