Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 2 – 5, 2015Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

NW winds have redistributed snow from recent storms, building slabs in a slightly unusual pattern.  Now almost 1m of snow at higher elevations on top of weak December layer of facets and in places surface hoar but still willows showing below 1800m.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    NW ridgetop winds over the last couple of days have built slabs, some in unusual locations for our area. At lower elevations and closer to the prairies, the winds have been more in a SW direction making the problem more complex.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    The weak snow above the crust is now primed with a big enough slab for there to be serious consequences. In the alpine this problem will likely be limited to N and E aspects but at treeline it is widespread. Use extra care in open, sheltered terrain.

Weather Forecast

Clear but continued NW winds until Saturday morning when another cold front arrives. Temperatures will drop again and we could see 10-15cm of snow at higher elevations. Winds will switch back to the normal SW following the passage of the front.

Snowpack Summary

The slab over the persistent weak layer consisting of surface hoar and facets over a strong crust is now 80 to 100cm thick at up ridgetop but only 40cm below treeline. Strong west and northwest winds have create slabs, some in slightly unusual locations because of the northerly component of the winds.

Avalanche Summary

The new snow is hiding any evidence of recent avalanche activity however at least three large avalanches occurred during the last storm. Natural avalanche activity seems to have tapper off for no but could increase with new snow forecast for Sunday.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Regions covered