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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 2nd, 2014–Jan 5th, 2014

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

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.

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

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.