Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 31, 2019 – Jan 3, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Snow from last weeks storm is settling well but the variable sensitivity of a weak facet/crust combo at the base of snowpack requires a cautions approach to terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slabs will be thicker and more reactive the higher you go.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3

    The November facet/ melt freeze crust combo still lurks near the base of the snowpack. This layer could still be triggered by people in thinner snowpack areas, or by large triggers including cornices or smaller avalanches.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday- . Increasing cloud cover through the day with scattered flurries. West wind 50km/h gusting to 80 km/h. Freezing level 1200m.

Tuesday Night- Expecting 2-5 mm of precip by Wed AM.

Wednesday- A mix of sun and cloud with Strong - Moderate wind. Isolated flurries. Freezing Level 1400m

Thursday- A mix of Sun and cloud with a chance of flurries.

Snowpack Summary

Strong Westerly winds continue to develop Windslab at treeline & above. A deteriorating melt freeze crust exists on all aspects up to 1800m. Above 1800m, 85-120cm of well settled snow from last weeks storm sits on top of a weak facet/ melt freeze crust near the base of the snowpack. Reactivity of this basal weakness is variable & warrants caution.

Avalanche Summary

No new activity last 3 days.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday

Regions covered