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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 25th, 2015–Jan 28th, 2015
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Waterton Lakes.

Heating has weakened the snowpack and our ice climbs as well. The Akamina Parkway was closed at 8 AM Sunday morning as falling ice blocked the road. TH

Weather Forecast

Heating Saturday and Sunday will likely prove to have provided the greatest shock to the snowpack however an increase in the freezing levels and temperatures appears to be in the cards for Monday and is cause for continued concern.  Winds should peak Sunday afternoon however little snow remains available for transport. Cooling begins Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

A strong chinook has brought light amounts of rain, strong winds, and very warm temperatures to the divide and created crusts to around 19000m. Clear skies allowed a strong solar input Saturday creating loose snow avalanches and strong crusts on steep south slopes.  TL and above prominent windslabs  have formed on N and E lee features.

Avalanche Summary

A significant solar cycle occurred Saturday with loose wet sluffs initiating at treeline elevations and triggering recent windslabs, persistent slab,  and basal facets in thin snowpack areas to size 2.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Now 20 to 40cm deep, these slabs have developed along with Cornices due to Westerly winds and appear to be quite obvious in open lee features. Although most developed at Treeline and above these slabs appear reactive at lower elevations as well.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Now 40 to 120cm deep. These slabs still demand attention particularly with the warm temperatures. Be mindful in thin snowpack areas, where this layer is more likely to be triggered.
Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wet Slabs

Small solar sluffs  triggered the persistent slabs plus deep slabs failing on facets at the base of the snowpack Saturday. The snowpack has been weakened by heating and this is most pronounced at lower elevations, on solar slopes, and in thin areas.
Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3