Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 1st, 2015–Dec 4th, 2015

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

Weather Forecast

Strong south winds continuing through Thursday. With the temperature inversion of the past couple of days having dissipated, temperatures are forecast to increase to above freezing overnight in the valley bottoms but remain relatively cool in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong south west winds at ridgetop are building fresh windslabs in lee areas and scouring exposed ridgecrests back down to the November 17th melt freeze crust. Recent surface hoar growth of up to 10mm in the valley bottoms. Middle and lower snowpack are generally well settled with no notable weak layers.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported.

Confidence

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.