Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 25 – 29, 2015Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

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

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    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.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    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.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    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.

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

Regions covered