Slow cooling over the weekend will temper the natural reactivity of the snowpack but, it will remain a serious hazard to riders looking for fresh turns.
Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake road remain closed for maintenance.
AB511 for up to date info.
Wind slab development will continue with light snow and moderate to strong SW wind. Expect wind slabs to be reactive to a riders weight.
A persistent slabs sit over 2 different layers depending on elevation. Below 1950m, the persistent weak layer is the Dec 1 rain crust. Above 1950m, facets buried on Dec 26 are the primary concern.
Watch for overhead pillows or full ledges where loose snow will accumulate.
Friday: Mainly cloudy. Temp High -6 °C. Wind SW:15 km/h. FZL to valley bottom
Saturday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Temps: Low -9 °C, High -6 °C. Wind W: 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. FZL to valley bottom
Sunday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. 5 cm. Temp: Low -10 °C, High -7 °C. Wind SW: 15-30 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
New snow with strong SW are creating wind effect and building windslabs on leeward slopes. These windslabs are expected to become more reactive as temperature rises. The mid snowpack remains faceted with the December persistent weak layers buried 40-70cm. Basal facets and depth hoar can be found at the base of snowpack.
Several large windslabs, and loose dry avalanches initiated with explosive control on the Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake road. Road maintenance ongoing and will take time for both roads to be passable. Downed avalanche patrol though the whole region with varied natural activity noted.
