Alaska Weather16 Nov 2021 13:52
"I am sure many North Slope operators are aware, but the current snow levels are exceptional for this early in the winter season. However, the thick snowpack can insulate the tundra which may delay tundra travel opening. With this in mind, we encourage that operators looking to construct snow roads and ice roads this season begin prepacking as soon as possible to stabilize the current snowpack. " Department of Natural Resources 15/11/2021
All monitoring stations on slope have met snow criteria but soil temperature at 30 cm is not near to minus 5 deg C hence the wish to reduce the insulating affect of snow blanket.