Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 28th, 2017 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Downhill travel conditions continue to suffer with strong winds and warm temps. A little snow is just what we need...

Summary

Weather Forecast

Chinooks continue through Monday. Ridge top winds will be strong to extreme from the SW, with Treeline temperatures hovering between 0 and -6 degrees. On Monday evening the upper level flow switches from SW to Northerly, temperatures will drop, and we may see some up slope snowfall through Tuesday (models are predicting anywhere from 5-20cm).

Snowpack Summary

Strong SW wind re-exposing previous wind hardened surfaces and building pockets of fresh Wind Slab in lees. Solar aspects below 2000m are breakable crust. Sheltered N aspects still hold some soft snow. Faceted layers in the mid and lower snowpack remain a concern, particularly in shallow areas where facetting was more pronounced.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Due to the depth of the weak layers triggering is unlikely, but the consequence would be high. Avoid shallow rocky areas in big open terrain. This problem may also exist Below Treeline in the Front Ranges.

Use caution on wide-open slopes - these are the most suspect.Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Expect small pockets of fresh Wind Slab in lees.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

Incoming new snow will not likely bond well to previous surfaces. Watch for fast running sluffs in steep terrain if snowfall amounts exceed 10cm.

On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2017 4:00PM