Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 3 – 6, 2014Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

Active weather for the period could increase hazard. Watch the local snowfall amounts and winds carefully. Rapid loading could wake up deep persistent slabs. Remember that early season hazards remain a serious concern.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Hard surface slabs are found near ridge crests and in gully features. These are highly variable at the moment with suspect pockets in steep and unsupported terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Weak faceted or sugary snow can be found almost everywhere 30 to 40 cm above the ground. Triggering in thin snowpack areas remains a concern. Some natural avalanche activity should be expected if snowfall amounts are significant Friday.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    The incoming snow will cover a variety of firm surfaces including the windslabs described above, wind affected surfaces, and sun crusts on S aspects. West winds and mild temperatures are likely to encourage slab formation in specific areas.

Weather Forecast

We are expecting snow Friday morning provided by the current Westerly flow. The competing arctic high over the prairies will take over after this invading from the North with a steady cooling trend to the -20C range by Sunday. Precip amounts are uncertain but may be locally significant if the arctic air holds the warm moist air against the divide.

Snowpack Summary

Generally a thin and weak snowpack averaging 1m near treeline. West winds have strongly influenced coverage: scouring windward areas leaving windslabs near ridgelines and in gully features. Thin suncrusts have formed on South aspects as high as 2200m. Weak faceted snow that can be found 30 to 40 cm above the ground remains a concern in thin areas.

Avalanche Summary

There has been no activity in the last few days.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Regions covered