Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 4th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

adam greenberg, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Avalanche activity appears to have tapered off with the drop in temperature. Bundle up if you are headed out!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow. Cold temperatures down low with a strong inversion breaking down overnight and light NE windsWednesday: Sunny with cloudy periods, alpine high -18. Light N winds.Thursday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine high -15. Moderate W winds

Snowpack Summary

20-30cm of recent low density snow has been redistributed by previous strong to extreme west winds, and more recent moderate NE winds in the alpine and at treeline. This sits on a melt freeze crust below 2000m. The midpack is strong in deep snowpack areas, but the facets lingering at the bottom remain a concern in thinner areas.

Avalanche Summary

After peaking on Saturday with several storm slabs to size 2.5 reported in surrounding regions on N-NE aspects at treeline and in the alpine, avalanche activity appears to have tapered off with the drop in temperature.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs have formed with recent new snow and NE winds, and may take longer than usual to bond with cold temperatures.

Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by N-NE winds.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

A layer of weak facets is lurking at the bottom of the snowpack. Though there has been limited activity on this layer, it is still on our mind with consistent sudden collapse results in test profiles.

Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 7th, 2019 4:00PM