Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 1st, 2019–Dec 4th, 2019

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.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

A strong, localized wind event has scoured the majority of our terrain. Areas that still hold snow will have pockets of windslab and heavy loading. The Akamina Parkway remains closed to public access due to construction.

Weather Forecast

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Winds West 50 km/h gusting 90km/h

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Strong West Winds.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud and continued strong Westerly Winds

Snowpack Summary

A strong, localized wind event has scoured the majority of our terrain. Areas that still hold snow will have pockets of windslab and heavy loading. New windslab overlies a variety of bed surface including bare ground, old windslab and a melt freeze crust where snow from the late Sept. snowfall did not melt out. Snowpack depth varies from 0 -90 cm.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

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.